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FOR REARING AND MANAGING THE ITALIAN AND NATIVE BEE IN 
THE MOST PROFITABLE MANNER TO THEIR OWNERS, BEING 
THE RESULT OF MORE THAN FIFTEEN YEARS EX- 
PERIENCE IN SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL 



BEE CUI.TURE. 



BY 

W. A. rLA]!^DERS, A.M., 

AUTHOR OF "THE HONEY BEE AND HIVE." 



MAiq^SFIELD, O: 

PRINTED BY L. D. MYERS & BROTHER. 
1867. 



Price 25 cts. by Mail. 



HANDLING BEES. 

I have handled bees at the following State Fairs : 

United States' Fair at Cinncinati, O 1860 

New England States' Fair at Brattleboro, Vt .. 1866 

Vermont State Fair at Montpelier, Vermont 1853 

Vermont State Fair at Rutland, Vermont 1854 

Vermont State Fair at Burlington, Vermont 1857 

Michigan State Fair, at Detroit, Michigan 1860 

Michigan State Fair at Kalamazoo, Michigan . . 1863 

Indiana State Fair at Indianapolis, Indiana 1863 

Ohio State Fair at Zanesville, Ohio 1859 

Ohio State Fair at Dayton, Ohio 1860 

Ohio State Fair at Cleveland, Ohio 1863 

Illinois State Fair at Decatur, Illinois 1864 

Iowa State Fair at Burlington, Iowa 1864 

Vermont State Fair at Brattleboro, Vermont . . . 1866 

Michigan State Fair at Adrian, Michigan 1865 

Michigan State Fair at Adrian, Michigan 1866 

Indiana State Fair at Ft. Wayne, Indiana 1865 

Indiana State Fair at Indianapolis, Indiana 1866 

Ohio State Fair at Dayton, Ohio 1866 

Illinois State Fair at Chicago, Illinois 1866 

Wisconsin State Fair at Janesville, Wisconsin . . 1865 

New York State Fair at Utica, N. Y 1865 

New York State Fair at Saratoga Springs 1866 

My improvements have been awarded First Pre- 
miums at the State Fairs of all of the above States 
and the United States and New England Fairs. 

W. A. FLANDERS, 
Shelby, Ohio. 



NATURE'S BEE BOOK, 



PRACTICAL TREATISE, 



CALCULATED TO ASSIST THE BEE-KEEPER IN OVERCOMING THE 

DIFFICULTIES AND MYSTERIES OF BEE-KEEPING AND 

INSURE PROFITABLE RETURNS FOR LABOR 

AND CAPITAL INVESTED. 



W. A. FLANDEES, A.M., 



PROPRIETOR OF 



THE BEE-KEEPERS' INSTITUTE, 



KELLET'S ISLAND ITALIAN BEE APIARIES ; INVENTOR OF FLANDERS' 

PATENT MOVABLE COMB BEE-HIVES ; IMPORTER OF 

ITLLIAN BEES, &C., &C. 



PRINTED BY L. D. MYERS & BROTHER. 
1867. 



SF513 



r 



o 65 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by 

W. A. FLANDEES, 

In the Clerk's OflQce of the District Court of the United States, 

for the Northern District of Ohio. 



PREFACE. 

The following work is designed as a directory, to 
aid, to explain, and accompany my improvements in 
Bee culture. 

It comprises the result of many years experience 
and attentive observation; and, when studied in 
connection with my improved Bee Hives, it will af- 
ford all that is requisite for the successful husbandry 
of Bees. 

Avoiding a voluminous essay on the history of the 
Honey Bee, it has been thought proper to present the 
ideae and improvements in a plain and lucid manner, 
so that any person, suitably located, may learn to 
rear and successfully manage bees, and avail himself 
of the profitable benefits derived from their labors. 

It is a lamentable fact that most of the modern 
treatise published upon this subject, appear to be 
narrations of conjecture and vague speculations, and 
do not embody that which is immediately practical 
and helpful, derived from successful experiments and 
daily experience. 

In order to realize the greatest advantages from 
Bee culture, its practical management must be based 
on, and ada^^ted to '' "Dzierzon's Theory," (which 
will be found in this work) the fundamental j)rinciples 
of which are deducted from the accurately known 
habits of bees, and based upon their natural charac- 
teristics, unchangeable by human wisdom or artifice. 



Having fully satisfied myself of its truthfulness 
and nicety of adaptation, I cheerfully recommend it 
with a full consciousness of its worth, knowing that 
errors published, with a fair and apparently candid 
endorsement would not only damage those whom I 
hereafter desire to claim as friends and jiatrons, but 
would destroy the reputation to which I now publicly 
lay claim. 

w. A. fla:nders. 



3^^ We shall send copies of this Manual to the pub- 
lishers of newspapers and periodicals, and would be 
pleased to have all such notice the work and send 
copies of papers containing such notices, with terms 
for advertising in their respective papers ; in that 
case they will bo allowed to co^jy from this work by 
giving the proper credit. 



^^ All the cuts in this work were got up for it 
and copyrighted to us, and must not be copied by 
others, as we shall prosecute all such plaigarists. 



INDEX 



A PAGF, 

Apiary, directions for stocking, purchasing bees, 

&c 31 

April management 38 

August management 39 

Artificial swarming, when and how performed.. 22 

Artificial swarming, with a movable-comb hive . 23 

B. 

Bees, improved method of wintering 41 

Bees, feeding 35 

Bees, taming 32 

Bees, transferring 29 

Bees operation of transferring 30 

Bee-charm, how to use 33, 34 

Bees, general (monthly) management of 37-41 

Bees, how to keep them in a hive from year to 

year without " running out " 36 

Book Bee-Hive, side and back view of 14, 15 

Bee-Keeper's Institute 47 

Bees, ventilating them. 36 

C. 

Chib rates for hives, riglits, &c 63 

Cash business, necessity of doing 62 

Claims (Patent) 15, 16 

Claims (General) 16 



6 



D. PAGE. 



December nianageTnent with movable-comb hive 41 
" Dzierzou's Theory" 44 



Explanation of cuts 25, 26 

F. 

February management 38 

Flanders' movable-comb hives 13 

G. 

General remarks 17 

H. 

Honey, removing surplus 29 

How rights and hives sell 61 

Handling bees. (See inside front cover.) 

How to prevent the moth 32 

I. 

Italian honey bee 46, 47 

Introducing queens 49 

R. 

Robbing 29 

Registration for bee-hives 20 

Rearing queens 26-49 

S. 

Swarming, cause of, and migrating to the woods 10 

Supplying queent, to destitute swarms 26 

Surplus honey, how to obtain a large amount... 28 



7 

PAGE, 

September management in movable-comb hives. 40 

September management in common bives 40 

Silver medal described 60 

Shipping qneen bees by mail 20 

Surplus honey, how to remove it 29 

T. 

The honey bee 9 

To increase stocks one-third annually, artificially 24 
To hive bees into a movable-comb hive from a 

bush 28 

Transferring bees from one hive to another 29 

Test of purity for Italian bees 48 

ThePress 55 

To capture "wild bees 54 

The advantage of artificial swarming 21 

Testimonials 58 

Taming bees ».,,..» ..-_ 32 



THE HONEY BEE. 



The wonderfal economy and providence of the 
Honey Bee early engaged the careful attention of 
mankind. While other insects — the spider, the hor- 
net and the ant — equally have excited our admira- 
tion, when watching their mechanical skill and prov- 
ident industry, the delicious luxury obtained by the 
labor of the Bee, confides it to the particular care of 
man, who rears and domesticates inferior animals, 
that they may minister to his daily wants and j)lea8- 
ures. The industrial efforts, the patient labor, the 
healthful sobriety and fervent loyalty of this little 
insect, merits more than equal courtesy with the ant, 
which the wisest of men drew from seclusion to pub- 
lic observance by a pointed and well recognized pro- 
verb. 

Since a judicious and well-timed execution of action 
with a profitable end in view, is the correct criterion 
by which we are enabled to distinguish rationality, 
we are necessitated to admit that many of the char- 
acteristics of the Bee, and other associated tribes of 
insects, approximate to the reasoning faculty. In 
large communities, concert of action is acknowledged, 
in order to procure the requisite quantity of supplies 
for the maintenance of the community, while a com- 
bination of mutual intelligence is exerted in such a 
manner as to distribute labor, equilibrate the pro- 
ducts, and extend the sphere of active power in order 
to yield plentiful stores. 

One of the greatest difficulties of the past, attend- 
ant upon the successful husbandry of the Bee, seems 
to have l)een in pro^^erly defining the boundary, where 
instinct assuoaes the characteristics of reason, and 
discriminating between the methodical operations of 
implanted laws, and the result of acquired knowledge 
and habits. This has led many to classify the modus 
ojierandi of the Bee-Hive under the general name of 
the labor of instinct. 

That the Bee possesses a certain power or disposi- 

2 



10 



tion of mind, the exercise of wliicli implies exquisite 
mechanical skill in architecture, in the accumulation 
of wealth and in successful social relations ; and that 
it apparently manages these operations, at the same 
time, independently of all anticipations of conse- 
quences, will not militate against our own theory, 
well fortified by an intimate acquaintance with its 
life and habits, that the management of its domestic 
affairs is similar to our own, conducted by reason and 
experience under the circumstances which daily sur- 
round it. 

It matters not, then, whether we define its curious 
operations instinct or instinctive reasoning, in order that 
we may fully understand the working economy of 
this useful insect as seen in the varied thickness of 
the comb, extending from the top to the bottom of 
the hive, or in the symmetrical diameter of the " brood 
cells," each carrying its hexagonal angles (excepting 
the " queen cell,") with the mathematical precision 
to such a degree as to excite the admiration and es- 
teem of savants and philosophers ; or when we view 
the power of systematic effort, in the luxurious stores 
of royal food, harvested in due season for a sterile 
winter's sustenance, presenting a tableau of industry 
and common effort for man to imitate. 

Then let us consider this wonderful community, 
with its teachings, as a science rather than a stereo- 
typed action or instinct, and we shall be enabled to 
pursue the study of Modern Bee Culture, as a 
source of knowledge of all that pertains to the insect 
as an accomplished artisan, as well as a profitable re- 
muneration. 

Cause of Bees S-warming, and Migrating to 
the Forests. 

Possessed of one of the " Book Hives," the bee 
keeper can observe a regular sequence in the changes 
in the domestic life of a swarm of bees, while in its 
normal condition — that is, before giving off" its first 
8warm. 

The period of incubation by the queen commences 
early in the spring. It is rapidly generative, and 
when the honey season approaches, the cells are well 



11 



stocked with eggs, larva, &c. At this time, th« 
working bees sally forth to labor, day after day with 
untiring assiduity, to stock their homes with a win- 
ter's sujj^y of provender. During the busy season 
they intimate a negligence toward the royal blood by 
packing cell after cell with their wealth, and rapidly 
contracting the queen's domains — the cells for her 
deposits. The breeding space of the hive thus be- 
comes rapidly narrowed, and finally the queen, hav- 
ing no empty cells, locates in some remote place, gen- 
erally on or near the edge of a comb, and continues 
her deposits. The latter, on the edge of the comb, 
are eaten by the working bees. Thus situated, the 
royal influence of the queen is limited, and unexert- 
ed. The wealth of the community has unsettled the 
kingdom. The entire swarm seems to be disloyal. 
It presents the condition of a nation which has lost 
its sovereign. The working bees, powerful in wealth, 
construct royal residences, or "queen cells," in which 
they rear queens, and to be certain lest the royal 
blood should become extinct. The royal family con- 
sists of many queens (after the first swarm in the 
season), heirs expectant, and when these youthful 
queens are about to hatch, the old queen, jealous of 
her regal honors, undertakes to destroy her rival 
queens yet unhatched. Uualde to succeed, as an army 
of workers surround and defend them, the old queen 
abdicates her throne, and sallies forth from her late 
dominions, accompanied by her loyal subjects, old 
and young, whirling and buzzing in dire confusion. 
After all of the disafiected have left the hive, they 
settle with the queen upon a shrub or bush. This is 
what constitutes "swarming." 

In swarudng, it is believed that a regular and per- 
manent organization is not entirely efiected until 
after the departure of the swarm from the parent 
hive to cluster in a body, not unlike a mass conven- 
tion. Immediately on swarming, the greatest tumult 
and confusion ensues throughout their ranks, at the 
same time manifesting a desire to alight sufiflciently 
far from their late abode, so as not to be interrupted 
or annoyed while completing their organization, and 
arrangements for their prospective home. Here we 
notice a striking peculiarity. All the bees that are 



12 



capable of takingwing, youug, middle-ao-ed and aged 
(except those that are employed in nursing the young 
larva, l)rooding over the crysalis, or are out in the 
fields), accompany the swarm to seek their new hah- 
itatiou. 

Here is wisdom and order created out of disorder 
and rebellion. The Author of all things has " most 
wisely " fixed their dispositions so as to })revent the 
overthrow of the old colony. A large number of 
bees are absent in the fields amassing honey, at the 
time when the swarming takes place. These, no 
doubt, amid the unsettled conditi(m of home affairs, 
would join the new colony and leave the parent home 
unprotected and defenceless. The combs would be- 
come despoiled and ravaged by the irruption of those 
little barbarians, the moth family ; the infant queens 
would die from want of careful nursing; the germ of 
another new colony — the larva and chrysalis — would 
be lost in the general wreck, without the i>rotection 
afforded by these absentees, who, when they return, 
offer the necessary care to preserve the household 
with its interests. 

When a new colony leaves the hive, and goes off 
without alighting on a shrub or bush, it is, as a gen- 
eral thing, tiiose swarms which hang upon the out- 
side of the iiive. It is an unusual occurrence, that 
swarms which hang upon the outside of the hive, 
leave until they have sent oft' ambassadors to select 
a suitable home for their future abode. 

Now, if bees are hived immediately after they have 
alighted, or before they have despatched their agents 
to select a new tenement, they will not leave at all, 
if their new residence has been made agreeable, and 
clear of everything offensive to them, and sufficiently 
commodious (for it is want of room that causes 
swarming.) Tlien, to secure the new swarm, we re- 
commend *' artificial swarming." This is easily and 
effectually accomplished in my new "Book Hivr:," 
a description, together with the mode of operating, 
is hereafter given. 



13 



"W. A. Flanders' Movable-Comb Bee-Hives. 

Eacli successive year places these Mves still higher 
in the estimation of an appreciative piil)lic. It is 
now past fiiteen years since my first improvement in 
bee-hives was oiiered to the apiarians of the United 
States. Since which time I have been employed in 
handling and experimenting with the honey bee, in 
the Eastern and Western States. I now commence 
another year of study and experience with renewed 
cheerfulness, on account of the discoveries relative 
to the habits, disposition, and other general charac- 
teristics, which have been made by me, only to incite 
me to further study. I likewise feel happy that my 
humble efforts have met with such generous appre- 
ciation. Valuable improvements have been added to 
my hives the past year, as well as having made many 
important discoveries in the nature and working 
economy of this interesting insect. Many things are 
yet, without doubt, to be learned ; and whatever ob- 
servations or discoveries may be made in the future, 
shall be freely announced to the public. No fear is 
entertained that succeeding revalations will in any 
wise be contradictory or annihilatory of principles 
already laid down in any of my publications, as they 
have been satisfactorily established as natural laws, 
and have been abundantly verified. 

To enable the cultivator to avail himself of all the 
advantages of the already known habits of the bee, 
in order to promote their pros]3erity, and enable the 
common bee-keeper to learn practically all that be- 
longs to its culture, I have invented a hive upon a 
modified plan of the celebrated "Debeauvoy Hive of 
1851," diflering materially from the " Common Mova- 
ble-Comb Hive " of the present day. I have com- 
pleted a series of observations with it, all of which 
have been highly satisfactory and profitable. Its 
structure, its commodiousuess, its accommodating 
departments, are skillfully adapted for the home of 



14 



these fruitful little artizans. It is denominated the 
" Book Bee-Hive," and is advertised with that title. 




Fig. 1. — Book Bee-Hive. 

(Patented by W. A. Flanders.) 



The above and following cuts representW. A. Flan- 
ders' latest improvement, which is a modilicatiou of 
Debeauvoy's Movable-Comb Hive of 1851, and W. A. 
Flanders' Patented Movable Comb Hive of April 5th, 
1864, with subsequent improvements. This hive, it 
will be seen, opens in the rear; the Comb Frames, 
being hung on suitable hinges, may be opened readi- 
ly, removed and returned, without injury to the 
combs or bees, by removing the top boxes and cap 
above them Figure 1 shows the front and side of 
the hive. Figure 2 shows the side and rear of the 
hive, with one side opened, the frames articulating 
on their hinges. 



15 




Fig. 2.— Book Bee-Hive— Side and Back View. 
(Patented by W. A. Flanders.) 



Our Patents and Claims. 

We will uow explain our patents and improve- 
ments, as embraced in tlie above hives. United 
States Letters Patent No. 42,181, granted to W. A. 
Flanders, April 5tli, 1864. 

"Claims." 

First — I claim in combination with a dividing hive 
constructed substantially as specified, hinging the 
comb frames, by means of the extension hinge E F, 
to the back or front walls, so that, in opening the 
hive, the comb frames are brought out of the hive in 
the manner and for the purposes set forth. 

Second — I claim so hinging the back or front of the 
hive, and attaching the comb frames thereto, that on 
opening the hive, ail the comb frames attached to 
one section may be swung out of the hive together, 
as and for the i^urposes specified. 



16 



Third — I claim in combination the curtained tube 
J, the division board H, tube H', and glass H", oper- 
ating as described for the x>urpose specified. 

Fourth — I claim the Queen and Drone cages, when 
constructed and operated as specified. 

,Pifth — I claim the disk K, with the openings 1, 2, 
3 and 4, in combination with the oi)eniug L, arranged 
and operating as and for the purpose set forth. 

Sixth — I claim forming the joints of any portion of 
the bee-hive that opens and shuts so that the angle 
and edge of the parts forming the joint or joints will 
not separate upon opening the hive, or impinge upon 
each other when the parts are being closed, substan- 
tially as specified, for the i^urpose set forth 

W. A. FLANDERS. 

Witneesea- ^Jno. H. Cox, 
vvitncBses. ^^^j^ Farrington. 



" General Claims." 

Ist. I claim the sanded or glassed paper for the 
comb guides, as set forth. 

2d. I claim the sanded surfaces for the interor of 
the bee-hives to prevent the bees sticking or gluing 
the parts together. 

3d. I claim the use of sanded paper for lining the 
passages which communicate from comb to comb, 
ensuring an easy communication for the bees to the 
outside combs for supplies in winter. 

4tli. I claim the necessary ways or passages for 
the bees, from the breeding chamber of the hive up 
through the comb frames into the surplus honey 
boxes above, as set forth. 

5th. I claim the reversable front entrance having 
the diverging ways, or passages for the bees to enter, 
to the right and left of the common entrance, for 
the purpose of excluding the sunlight, moths, robber 
bees, and storms from the interior of the hive, and 
producing a uniform temperature in total darkness, 
while the bees are allowed to i)riss and repass with- 
out hindrance, thus protecting them from the dan- 
gers which beset them at any time of the year. 

6th. I claim the preserver filled with calcined clay 



17 



or pounded brick, placed on the frames and in com- 
bination with the hive and frames in winter, as 
specified. 

Ttli. I claim ventilating the hive through the out- 
side of the comb frames and the diverging "ways" 
of the common entrance, as set forth. 

W. A. FLANDERS. 

Witnesses • 5 J' ^- BuECKBiLL, 
\V jnesses . ^ .p ^^ Wiggins. 



General Remarks. 

From the above it may be seen that we have se- 
cured more advantages than any other hives possess. 
I claim that with my improvements as above, no 
swarm properly provisioned and prepared need ever 
" freeze out " in the coldest climate, when wintered 
on their "summer stands" in tlie open air. Nor will 
they fly out in the sunniest days, and die upon the 
ground in cold weather, but remain quietly in a 
semi-torpid .state in the dark, while no moisture is 
near them. I have by experiment satisfied the most 
skeptical that a "shallow chamber" above and in 
connection with the frames, is a " shallow concern," 
of no use, but a positive injury to the bees in the win- 
ter, while it can (better) be dispensed with at all 
times So also with "movable honey boards," the 
toj) of the comb frames form the best "honey board," 
or foundation for the honey recej^tacles ; at the same 
time the queen should be i)revented from going be- 
tween the frames into the honey boxes, to injure the 
box honey with her brood. This is accomplished in 
my hives, while the "necessary passages for the bees 
are i^reserved." From the most extensive experi- 
ments, I am satisfied that the size and shape which 
M. Quinby has adopted is the safest and best that can 
be used in any country. I am satisfied " as much de- 
pends on the shape and size of a bee-hive as any one 
thing," as Mr. Quinby remarks. I can not make the 
matter more explicit than to give Mr. Quinby's ex- 
planation of the most suitable dimensions for a hive : 
" Size of the brooding chamber, (inside measure) 12^ 
inches high, 12 inches wide, and 19^ inches long." 



18 



Mr, Quinby's Remarks on Hives. 

" I will notice some of the different forms, and tlie 
reader may decide for himself whicli, nnder the cir- 
cumstances, suit him hest, and let this be an answer 
to all who would write me to inquire which I con- 
sider the hest hive, witli the shape of the hive : — 
(12xl9^xr2J, tfec.) I am satisfied, the depth is all 
that the comb will sustain when filled with honey, 
and the oreater lenifth of each requires a less num- 
ber (8 frames) to fill the hive The bees will store 
the back end with honey and rear their brood in the 
front end, and use nearly every comb for both 
purposes. This is the rule in properly managed 
stocks. When the winter approaches there are empty 
cells in the front end, and honey enough in the other 
to last through the cold weather, without obliging 
the bees to change from one comb to another to obtain 
it. They have only to move backward as the honey 
is consumed, on the same principle that they would 
move upward in a hive <loeper from top to bottom 
than from front to rear. I would not have these 
frames the longest way up and down, for tico reasons : 

First — You could not raise a frame 20 inches in 
height out of the hive and return it without hitting 
the sides occasionally, and arousing the bees. 

Second — There would be too little room on top for 
boxes. Most of these movable comb hives are nearly 
square, which sha|)e does not suit me. Some of them 
have ten or twelve frames seven or eight inches in 
depth by fourteen or fifteen in length. Towards fall 
only a part of these in the middle of the hive will 
contain brood ; the outside combs are filled through- 
out with honey, the middle combs contain but little, 
and the bees begin the winter there. If they are in 
the cold, and consume the little honey there is in 
these centre combs, they are quite sure to starve be- 
fore getting a supply from the outside ones." 

The above remarks show Mr. Quinby to be well 
posted in the worthlessness of '^ low fiat hives." Af- 
ter speaking of the above as the true form and size, 
Mr. Quinby remarks, "This is the hive I principally 
use, and I like it rather better than I do Mr. Lang- 
stroth's. He has fixtures about his that must be cou- 



19 



eidered more ornamental than useful, and for which 
the bees will not perform any extra labor." (See 
Quinby's Mysteries of Bee Keeping Explained, pages 
68 to 72.) 

In my Book Hive the bees can not gum or stick 
the frames together or put in traverse combs, as in 
other hives. The brood chamber is easily augmented 
or diminished to suit the size of the colony to be put 
into it. The honey boxes are a great saving and im- 
provement over the boxes in common use. They are 
in close communication with the working chamber, 
and with each other, inducing the bees to work in 
them with certainty and dispatch. The surplus box- 
es are easily adjusted to any convenient size, either 
before or after they are filled with honey. Any need- 
ed amount of honey may be taken from a honey box 
without breaking what is left, and the box closed and 
kept in the best condition until all is used. The 
honey is worth about five dollars per hundred pounds 
more in my sectional boxes than in pZain boxes, as 
the boxes can be divided into single combs of from 
one to two pounds, without breaking a cell or losing 
a drop of honey, this suiting the retail dealer. 

The swarm can be examined in the winter to good 
advantage by opening one side, and frames may be 
taken therefrom, or the accumulations of filth and 
dead bees removed at any time without annoying 
the bees, and the bees can be hived in a satisfactory 
manner by opening one side and shaking them into 
it. In most of the hives the, boxes are too small and 
about six or seven inches high, allowing but one tier 
of boxes to be placed on the hive at once. Where a 
greater number of boxes is desired in the working 
chamber for surplus honey, a rim six or seven inches 
deep may be placed on the hive, so as to raise the 
cap and admit of the second tier of boxes which 
should be placed beneath the first set after they are 
about filled. In this way a much greater amount of 
surplus honey can be secured, as the bees will gener- 
ally fill the two tiers of boxes as soon as they will a 
simple tier, in order to close the gap between the 
upper boxes and main hive. 



20 



Registration for Bee Hives. 

I have invented a veiy efficient and simple method 
of keeping a proper record of everything pertaining 
to bee-keeping, which greatly assists the bee-keeper 
in all the various manipnlations of the bee-hive. By 
its use, the Bee-keeper can tell at a glance the con- 
dition of each stock; the nnmber of maturing qneens 
or anything else, as easily as to tell the time of day 
by the clock. It is painted on the hive or box, with 
a stencil plate and brush, when ordered, and is de- 
signed to relieve the bee-keeper of much of the care 
in watching bees in tJiesicarming season. 

The following letter shows how my new method of 
registration is appreciated : 

Brighton, April 5, 1807. 
TV. A. Flanders — Sir: Yours with the plan of your 
registration is received. I like it very much. Such 
a plan would have saved me much time and countless 
examinations last season. You may send me one of 
the stencil plates, and I will forward the amount of 
your bill for the same. I think it the most valuable 
tiling I have seen for a long time, and you certainly 
should be paid for it. Your method of sending qneens 
by mail will indeed be a great advance in the right 
direction. Very respectfully, 

Ellen S. Tupper. 

Shipping Queen Bees by Mail. 

I have the pleasure to announce to my patrons that 
I have devised a method of " shipping queen bees by 
mail," and have perfected the plan by which we will 
undertake to send them by mail and warrant their safe 
arrival, where there is no express office any where 
near you in the country. We are the first to attempt 
to do this. We have ordered queens from Europe by 
mail. This will be of great advantage to those or- 
dering queens of tis. The apparatus we send the 
queens in will not be allowed to be used by others, 
except by license from us. It is just what is needed 
for introducing queens safely to the native bees ; all 
the instructions for introducing queens, with the ap- 



21 



paratns, is sent to the purcluiser ten days in advance 
of the day on which the Cj[ueens will be shipped. The 
greatest care will he taken in onr shipments, whether 
by mail or ex|)ress, and we desire onr customers to 
notify ns if our Bees are not received in good order. 

The Advantages of Artificial S-warming. 

I shall endeavor in this chapter to convince the 
bee-keeper that artificial swarming is important and 
valuable. 

It is a fact well understood and now firmly estab- 
lished in minds of all scientific apiarians, that, to 
succeed in bee culture, the stocks must be kept strong 
— that is, largely populated. It is almost unattain- 
able when they are permitted to act with natural 
swarming. It may be natural, but it is very uncer- 
tain. They sometimes swarm too many times, at 
other times not at all. When no swarndng occurs, the 
queen becomes old and superanuated, yields no in- 
crease of stocks. The apiary soon becomes reduced 
and profitless. In many cases such longevity brings 
on entire extinction. Many times in which the stock 
hive gives birth to two or three swarms, the cultiva- 
tor resorts to the " Brimstone Theory" to save them 
from the moth, robbers or the winter chill. Artificial 
swarming has been practiced, and recommended by 
many ancient writers and bee men, among whom we 
notice Huber, Bonner, Keys. Dr. Scndmore, De Gelieu, 
M. Shirah. Onr modern writers, Quinliy, Harbison, 
Phelps, Kidder, Metcalf, Underbill, Langstroth, Prof. 
J. P. Kirtland, Ellen S. Tupperand others, strongly 
corroborate the opinions of the former. 

The following will show the superiority of artificial 
over natural swarming. Mr. Aaron Grimm writes the 
''Wisconsin Farmer" Dec. 26, 1866: "I have in- 
creased the number of my stock-hives to 318, which 
I have wintered in, besides a lot sold and taken up ; 
from twenty-two hives since 1861. I claim to have 
succeeded very well with the Italians. I reared near- 
ly 300 fertile queens from one and her progeny last 
summer. About 100 of those queens j»roved to be 
pure, and the balance are primary bastards, which 
will raise pure next season. Every bee-keeper should 
understand it is not very difficult to Italianize a mod- 
erate apiary of from 12 to 25 stocks in a montli by 



22 



spending about an hour per day. In 1865 A. H. Hart, 
of Stockbridge, Wisconsiu, increased his stock from 
38 to 103, artificially, and got 1,700 pounds of surplus 
honey. In the fall, he sold 1,200 pounds of the honey 
for ,^400, and twenty-seven of the swarms for $179, 
and wintered the bahmco." 

In 1866, Bidwell Brothers, of Minnesota, wrote the 
" American Agriculturist " as follows : '* Our aim the 
past season w^as to get our bees into frame hives, and 
Italianized, and to secure the largest possible amount 
of svirplus honey. 

Bees have generally done poorly in our State this 
season on account of wet weather ; our statement for 
this year is as follows : 

At the beginning of the season we had — 

97 swaruis black bees in frame hives at $12 |1,164 

66 " " " board " at 8 528 

41 " " " straw " at 8 328 

204 2,020 

One year's interest at 10 per cent, on vahie bees 202 

One year's interest at 10 per cent, on hives and apparatus 120 

2,342 
At the close of the season the account stands : 

7,021 lbs. honey sold in frames at 25c $1,755 25 

3,117 " " " botes, composed of dark and 

unsealed honev at 23c 761 91 

2,980 lbs. on hand in boxes at 30c 894 00 

810 " strained honey, 2d qviality at 22c 178 00 

1,419 " " 1st " at25c 354 75 



15,347 lbs. 3,899 11 

252 lbs. wax at 35c 88 20 

256 swarms Italian bees, worth 5,120 00 

9,107 31 
Deducting above amount 2,342 00 

Leaves profit 6,865 31 

Artificial S-warming — When and How Per- 
formed. 

The time for artificial swarming is dependent on 
two circumstances — tlie state of the season and tlie 
condition of tlie stock to be operated on. 

Supposing the spring to be early, we first asceitain 
that drones (male bees) exist in the hive, either hatch- 



23 



ed or otherwise. Artificial swarming may then he 
performed with certainty of success. As a general 
rule, it is hetter to wait until the first appearance of 
the drones, about which time there is an active busy 
population, some vigorously working about their 
home, others returning heavily ladened with the 
fruits of their industry. This can be usually seen in 
about a month after the queen has commenced laying 
drone eggs. The stock is then in a sufficiently for- 
ward condition to be operated upon, as then it gener- 
ally contains unhatched queens in the embryo state. 

Artificial Swarming. 

HOW DONE WITH THE "MOVABLE COMB HIVE." 

Artificial swarming is effected with the aid of mov- 
able frames, the same as in the Book-Hives," with 
this difterence, that instead of dividing the hive, the 
frames are lifted out of the " movable comb hive." 

OPERATION. 

Remove the old stock a little distance from its usual 
place. Set an empty hive in the place in which the 
stock stood. This is done in order to prevent disap- 
pointment and consequent confusion among the re- 
turning bees, when they arrive at home from their 
tour over the fields. Blow a little smoke into the 
swarm from a lighted cotton rag, or use the "Bee 
Charm," which is always preferable, to induce the 
bees to satiate their appetites with honey, in order 
that they may have no disposition to sting. Take off 
the boxes above the frames ; lift out three frames 
and with a soft feather brush wing all the bees ofi" the 
comb back into the old stock. Put the comb frames 
into the new hive, and thus take all the frames out 
excepting three, which should be left in the old stock 
for supplies until they become rich enough to su]3- 
port tliemselves. 

The three frames should be put near the centre of 
the hive, and the unfilled frames on the outside in 
both hives ; after adjusting the frames in both the 
hives, put on the boxes and cap and set the hives 
within a foot of where the old hive stood, one to the 
right and the other a foot to the left. This will lo- 
cate them about three feet apart. Mark the hive con- 



24 



taining the three filled fraiiieB, as it contains the old 
queen. In three days, if there is any material differ- 
ence in the strength of the hives, the strongest may 
be removed a few feet farther off, which will strength- 
en the other. 

To Increase Stocks One-thircl xlnnually by 
Artificial Means. 

At a snitable time for making arti!i ial swarms, re- 
move all the combs bnt three, and !uush the bees 
back into tlie hive with a feather brush, as before ex- 
plained. Call this Hive No. 1 . After filling it up with 
empty frames, set it in its orginal place on the stand. 
The combs without bees taken from No. 1 should be 
put in No. 2 hive, with three empty frames added to 
fill th(^ hive. The comb left should contain eggs, &c. 
(See Fig. 3.) Select another hive, No. 3, and remove 
it to a suitable place iu the apiary, to stand during 
the remainder of the season. Now put No. 2 where 
No. 3 stood, and the work has been completed (unless 
you wish to supply No. 2 with a queen, the manner 
of Avhich will be explained hereafter). 

This method is very simple, and based upon the 
well-known disposition of bees to return to their old 
habitation. The bees of No. 3, which are luxuriating 
on the flowers of the surrounding fields, return to 
No. 2, their old locality, and enter. Their construc- 
tive skill and industry soon accumulate comb and 
honey. If no new queen has been supplied them 
(which should be doue as hereafter explained), they 
will proceed to raise a new qiTcen, after which they 
will continue to populate, and collect largely for 
winter stores. No. 1 is now in precisely the same 
condition as a new swarm in its normal condition, 
and will speedily fill its hive with surplus box honey, 
if the season should favor out-door labor. No. 3 will 
of course be reduced in population, and will not 
probal)ly favor swarming during the season, bxit store 
honey in large quantities- 

No. 2 being a queeuless hive, and the population like- 
wise reduced, it is too weak a colony to aftbrd protec- 
tion to the queens, when the first queen hatches, and 
she v»411 destroy all the riv^al queens and cells, when the 



25 



swarm quietly remains to collect like the rest. (See 
Fig. 5.) If a queen is supplied to No. 2, at the time 
the hive is set up, of course they will not lose time 
in rearing one, nnd she will shortly produce a nu- 
merous posterity to labor and collect during the re- 
mainder of the season. 

This method of artificial swarming cannot he too 
highly commended, when a moderate increase of 
stock with a large amount of surplus honey is de- 
sired. A bee-keeper not well skilled in bee-culture, 
should make this system his rule. I will add, that 
it should only be practiced on x^leasant days, while a 
large proportion of bees are on the tour of honey 
prospecting. 

EXPLANATION OF CUTS. 




Fig. 2. 

Fig. 2 represents the meth- 
od of iutroduciBg- queen eelLs. 
The light line vshows the cir- 
cle of the knife in the comb. 
The queen's exit is below in 
the open space. 




Fig. 3. 

Fig. 3 represents a piece of 
brood comb which the differ- 
ent sta-ges the eggs undergo 
in passing to the i>erfect bee. 
/, eggs clianging to larva ; e 
the worlier bees just before 
hatching out ; n shows a 
"Eoyal'Cell" with the grub 
in it,' three days old ; g is the 
drono brood capped over. 



26 

QUEEN-CELLS 





Fig. 5. 

Fig. 5 represents the edge 
of a piece of comb with im- 
l>erfect queen-cells attached ; 
d shows where the embryo, 
qneen has met a violent 
death, rival queens having 
toin the sides of the cell 
open ; c shows the wav the 
workers reduce the cells to 
an a'Com shape after they 
liave been demolished by a 
rival queen. 

Fig. 2 is natural size. Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are reduced 
one-half. 



Fig. 4. 

Fig. 4 represents the edge 
of a comb with two queen- 
cells attached. a shows 
where the queen has just 
emerged from the cell and 
left the cap attached at its 
back edge where she made 
her exit below, head fore- 
most ; b shows a perfect 
qixeen-cell, from which the 
queen has not hatched. 



Raising and Supplying Queens to Destitute 
S"warnis. 

This snhject is r('i)lete ^vith interest. It forms the 
mostr important chapter in the scientific cnlture of 
hecs. It is important because necessary. It is scien- 
tific hecause of the general and unchangeal)le laws 
pertaining to it. Every bee-keeper should give it his 
practical attention, accompanied with close observa- 
tiou and study. Bee-culture without queen-raising, 



27 

can only be temporal prosperity, and " trust in luck^^ 
for remuneration. 

Hives, by frequent misfortunes, are destitue of re- 
gality witli its stimulating encouragements for its 
subjects, and central power, Hives which are thus 
queenless, often, if they have the eggs, repair their 
loss : but should a hive become in such a state, by 
changing a frame, containing eggs, from one hive to 
another (and introducing it into a warm place be- 
tween the'combs), we can remedy the loss by supply- 
ing them with eggs for their royal nursery, from 
which issues a queen, upon whom their aftections 
concentrate. (See Fig. 3.) 

The unsettled state of the swarm, their indisposi- 
tion for labor, and other characteristic movements of 
a colony whose government has met with the extinc- 
tion of royalty, are certain proofs of a queenless 
swarm. A swarm thus situated should be instantly 
supplied with eggs. If not furnished they will in- 
evitably perish. The former spirit of industry will 
vanish. "Confusion worse confounded" permeates 
the entire realm. The hum of jealous activity is 
changed to the strange buzz of discontent, only to 
languish into inevitable death, or to associate with a 
neighboring swarm, whose hospitable and kind re- 
ception oifers them aid to convey the stores to their 
newly found home. 

By dividing a few stocks ten days before practicing 
artificial swarming, the bees will have an extra lot 
of queens sealed in their cells ready to supply other 
swarms. To do this, exchange the frames that con- 
tain the sealed queens for others in the queenless 
hive ; or transfer them by cutting them out and care- 
fully placing them in a situation as near as possible 
to that from which they have been subtracted, in a 
swarm which you desire to supply. 

The excavation should be made with a small knife, 
and the piece of comb containing the queen-cell 
should be carefully inserted in a similar place cut in 
the comb in which you desire to insert it (see Fig. 2). 
If the queen-cell is slightly mutilated, there is sus- 
picion that its inmate may be injured. Tliere should 
be a space sufficiently large below the fjuci n-cell, to 
permit her departure from the cell head foremost, or 
the bees may attack her and destroy her. 



28 



Whenever a swarm of bees are found to be queeu- 
less in the fall, after the drones are gone, the bee- 
manager mnst follow the directions which are found 
under *' October management." Should he desire to 
" Italianize " his bees, it is now an excellent oi)por- 
tunity to introduce the " Italian Queen" to queenless 
stocks. It will be cheerfully accepted, and in pro- 
cess of time transmute the stock to that of the Italian 
breed. 

Send for our circulars. 

Surplus Honey. 

When a large amount of box honey is desired, owe 
artificial swarm should be made from two stock 
hives. This plan is strongly nu'ommended, as an in- 
crease of stock to the amount of one-third annually. 
It has been proved by actTial experiment to be tlie 
most successful way of insuring an increase, besides 
profitably managing an apiary. Sometimes when 
the season is a very favorable one, and the bee-keeper 
has had experience, a larger increase may be effected. 

It is impossible to get both a large increase in 
swarms and a large amount of honey in the same 
season, without skill and experience in manage- 
ment. With an increase of one-third each year, com- 
mencing with only two swarms, you may safely in- 
crease them, so that in ten years a stock of fifty 
swarms may be obtained, together with a large 
amount of surplus honey. By this method many 
vexations attending a more rapid increase may be 
avoided. The above estimate is reliable. 

To Hive Bees into a Movable-Comb Hive 
from the Bush. 

Take ofi" the cap and honey boxes, and shake the 
bees ofi' on the top of the frames. Blow the breath 
powerfully on them, or sprinkle them slightly with 
water, and they will speedily go below. Now replace 
the boxes and cap, and the straggling bees may be 
shaken at the moiith of the hive and they will enter 
speedily. Should tliej^ enter reluctantly, disturb 
them with a feather and sprinkle them with water 



29 



very slightly. This will hurry them into the hive. 
Should the weather prove unfavorable for collecting 
honey for several days, a frame filled with comb and 
brood without bees, should be given them from 
another hive, or they should be fed until the weather 
will permit them to commence out-door oi)erations. 
When a comb of honey and brood is given to them, 
they will not leave it and depart to the woods, be- 
cause they are set to "houselieeping" at once in a 
home of their own. It is well to rub a little bees- 
wax on the underside of the top of the frames, before 
you put the bees iuto the hive, as it is very accept- 
able to them, and sweetens the air of the hive. 

Robbing. 

When an attack is commenced, turn over the " Reg- 
ulating Entrance" so that tlie bees can pass and re- 
pass singly. This checlis operations, and robbing 
will cease at once. If this is not done, capture the 
robbers according to my " instructions " for putting 
disloyal bees to work in a hive by themselves. 

Removing Surplus Honey. 

When the honey is capped over in the boxes, it 
should be removed immediately, and other boxes fur- 
nished. They may be raised and a little smoke. blown 
under them to make the bees retire, Avhen they may 
be removed, or the " Bee Charm" may be used. 

Transferring Bees. 

This part of the management of bees should incite 
deep interest in the mind of the bee operator. It has 
temporal, because the preservation of bees enhances 
the quantity of the delicious products. It has a 
moral, because we are accountable for all acts de- 
structive of present enjoyments, whether of appetite 
or miud. We cannot favor the idea that producers 
shoukl be barbarously massacred, in order that the 
products should be enjoyed. There can be no justifi- 
cation for the act of destroying a colony of indus- 
trious insects by " fire and brimstone," when the in- 



30 



ventive genius of man has supplied methods bj 
which a momentary subjugation suffices to obtain a 
supply of their products, which can be justly con- 
sidered as a recompense for the fostering care be- 
stowed on them. To do this siicccssfully has been 
the desire of hundreds. It is gratifying to announce 
to the bee-keeper, that success has always attended 
the transfer of bees from the box and other hives to 
the Book Hive. 

The best time is known to be either before the 
swarming season commences, or about twenty days 
after the first swarm issues. 

They should not be transferred after the drones 
disappear as the queen miglit unfortunately be killed. 
In which case, though the bees rear another, there 
would be no drones to impregnate, the queens, and the 
stock would become extinct, unless a supply should be 
given. This is important and should be remembered. 

Operation. 

The old stock hive should be sprinkled with water 
to drive the bees all into the hive ; after which gently 
remove the stock hive to a short distance under the 
shade of a tree or outhouse. Set it down bottom side 
up. Blow a little smoke upon them, to induce them 
to fill themselves with honey and remain quiet. 
Before commencing, it may be advisable to secure 
the face by a head-dress, unless you have the ''Bee 
Charm." 

Now return to the old stand and place an empty 
hive where the stock hive stood, to decoy the bees 
and keep them contented as they return from abroad. 
Put a box of the same size as the stock hive over 
this in such a Avay as to confine tlie bees and prevent 
them from escaping. Take two sticks and rap smartly 
on the sides of the hive, not too hard, lest the combs 
may be detached, until the bees have nearly all gone 
into the temporary attic above, which they will do 
in about twenty minutes. 

Then lay down on the ground two sticks of wood 
so as to raise the hive about two inches from the 
ground, and set the box containing the bees upon 
them ; sprinkle the box with water. We now have 



31 



the stock hive without the bees, the sides of which 
should be pried oif by rmminf^ a long-bladed knife, 
or a hand-saw, between the sides of the hive and the 
combs to diseuga<>e the sides. The combs can then 
be carefully removed, one by one. Lay them on a 
table and put a comb frame on them. Cut the combs 
to fit it and seal them closely into the frame with 
melted rosin, by pouring it around the inside of the 
frames and combs. The combs should be placed into 
the frames in the same manner that they were orig- 
inally built (top side up), as the cells incline up- 
ward. The frames should be put into the new hive, 
which they are to occupy permanently, as fast as 
filled. The combs having been all transferred, shake 
the bees on the top of the combs and frames. Sprin- 
kle them with water or blow them down, as directed 
in the chapter on " Hiving Swarms." After the bees 
are hived, the hive should be partially closed, as di- 
rected, to prevent robbing, and set on the old stand 
exactli/ where the stock originally stood, and in twen- 
ty-four hours the bees will have put the house in 
order. I may add that it will accommodate them 
to clear the bottom board for them two or three 
times. 

The " drone cells " may be known by being very 
much enlarged. These should be thrown aside and 
rejected as only a few drones are necessary. There is 
consumed from three to five pounds of honey daily 
in some hives by the drones. This should satisfy any 
one of the advantages of destroying these '' gentle- 
men loafers." An operation so often neglected yet 
highly important in a proper aud remunerative man- 
agement of these interesting insects. 

Directions for Stocking the Apiary, with 
Rules for Purchasing Bees. 

Select two year old stocks of large size, that 
swarmed the previous year. It has been demon- 
strated that such stocks have young and vigorous 
queens, and are generally well conditioned, prom- 
ising a healthy generation. A very old stock should 
be rejected, even if it swarmed the year before and 
contained a yearling queen, for the obvious reason 



tliat the l>cos having been l)rod in the old contracted 
cells, will be found of small size and insignificant in 
numbers. If yon take your hive away to get a swarm 
placed into it, always purchase the first or prime 
swarm, and see that it is given to you Do not be put 
oh' with a second or late swarm. Choose you a stock 
to commence with as you would clioose a wife — "get 
the best you am findy If you obtain one in the old 
box hive, invert it and secure the bees by a cloth 
tiicked securely over the bottom. Take it home when 
the air is cool, attend to it regularly, obey the direc- 
tions as given, and then congratulate yourself as 
having started right. 

In the purchase of bees, there are many things it 
is well to observe. Remember if stock hives are to 
be procured, ascertain the age of the queen. To 
select a young healthful mother seems to be a for- 
ward step towards a vigorous progeny. -:^ 

How the Ravages of the Moth can be 
Prevented. 

It should be impressed on the minds of all who 
undertake the culture of bees, that great arid profit- 
able success depcuds on four indispensable conditions, 
viz : A good cultivator ; a good season ; a good bee- 
hive, and when these arc obtained the fourth requi- 
site is certain to follow, that is, " strong stocks," the 
Alpha and Omega in bee-keeping, without which all 
other conditions fiiil in giving success. 

All bee-hives will contain the fruits of the moth- 
miller, more or less. If the bee-keeper strictly ad- 
heres to artificial swarming, and thereby keeps strong 
stocks, no serious trouble will ensue on account of 
the depredations of the moth. It is advisable to 
keep the bottom-board cleared of filth. With a Mov- 
able-Comb or Book Hive, if worms are contained, 
they are easily removed from time to time ; because 
they are easily opened and re-adjusted. I do uot 
find any trouble with moth in Italian stocks. 

Taming Bees. 

By skilfully operating upon the five senses of the 
bees, viz : seeing, hearing, touch, taste and smell, they 



33 



c.in be subjected to the control and will of the bee- 
master. An entire swarm can be tamed in two min- 
utes, so that they can be handled fearless of their 
defensive weai)on. 

Reason teaches us that they should be carefully 
handled, avoiding all jostling or i^ressnre. Man him- 
self, when abused or roughly handled, is not free 
from a feeling of resistance, or quick defense. Why 
should bees then, armed defensively by nature, not 
retort when under a sense of pain or restriction, 
caused by any attack on themselves or their posses- 
sions? 

One rule bears thoughtfulness. Never manifest fear 
while operating with them. Whatever is attempted let 
no cowardice be witnessed by the bees. Avoid all 
offensive motions of the body, such as striking, or 
attempt to disperse those surrounding your person. 
You may imagine that their intention when they 
swarm around you is to sting you, when really they 
do not. 

By no means let a "];)anic" seize you and a retreat 
be sounded. Let their buzzing arm your confidence, 
stand firm ; they will not sting until the "buzz" is 
reduced to a liner note, when, by looking steadily on 
the ground with head bowed down, or putting your 
face in shrubbery, they will soon leave you. But 
should you decide on a hasty retreat, let it be done 
only as a " military necessity." Change your " base " 
quickly, and fall back silently, that the attacking 
party may be ignorant of your designs. In case the 
bee-keeper should excite his bees, and they become 
cross and ungovernable, it is then advisable for him 
as a j)recautionary measure to make use of a bee x)ro- 
tector or head-dress. The best preventive of an at- 
tack is the " Bee Charm," which will be forwarded 
by mail, post paid, for fifty cents per box, with in- 
structions for preparing it. 

W. A. Flanders' Bee Charm. 

This is composed of the extract of the Queen Bee, 
anise, fenugreek and other vegetable productions, 
which, if used according to directions, will quiet the 
irate disposition of the most angry swarm, so that 



34 



they can be haudled regardless of their animosity, 
and fearless of stiugs. It has a remarkable persua- 
sive influence over the bee. It at once lulls them 
into a quiescent state, Avithout physical injury to 
them in any way, and renders the bee-keeper a tamer 
of the ferocity of these insects with a speed and se- 
curity beyond that boasted of by the renowned Van 
Amburgh among the savage animals of the forest. 
While his l)ut illustrates the sole dominion of man 
over the mighty beasts of the forest, without any 
fruits beyond the admiring applause of an excited 
and breathless throng ; this holds these insects un- 
der a captivating inliuence in order to yield the 
luxury of luxuries for man's delicious enjoyment It 
is the apiarian's power ; his magic wand ; his pride. 
He dismisses, with a conscious ]>leasure the barbarous 
code of the past, by which colony after colony suffered 
total extirpation, and congratulates himself that now 
he accumulates the regal wealth of an insect tribe 
with a conquest not of barbarity and devastation, 
but with one accompanied by the pleasurable emo- 
tions of love and pure enthusiasm. 

To Use the Bee Charm. 

The bee keeper should rub three or four drops on 
the fingers, lips and face. Then blow his breath on 
the swarm, strongly and constantly, as long as he 
can for three or four times, at such a distance as will 
ensure a cool breath. This will greet them and sud- 
denly '' charm" them so effectively that they will not 
show any hostility towards the operator. It will af- 
fect them less when they are raising young queens 
than at any other times. 

I have repeatedly offered one hundred dollars, while 
in attendance at different State and County fairs, to 
any person who would furnish a stock so incensed 
and irritable, that I could not put its bees in my 
mouth in three minutes after they have been in my 
possessi(ui. I have invarialdy lieen successful in lul- 
ling their angry passions and bringing them under 
}my control. Although bee keepers, who have at first 
been ske^Jtical and desirous of trial, have brought to 
me many exceedingly ill disposed stocks, I have uni- 



35 



versally satisfied them of the magnetizing proijerties 
of this wonderful charm. 

I have, to satisfy a crowd, repeatedly shaken a 
swarm on its heads without a sting being inflicted, 
or fear ajiprehended. 

Feeding Bees. 

Bees should he so reared as to yield the apiarian a 
supply of their luxurious stores, rather than demand 
a supply from him. We, however, admit that advan- 
tages are often derived from feeding bees. Many 
stocks sometimes perish for the want of sufficient 
food to keep them alive for a few days. This is a 
material loss and disadvantage to their owner. At 
other times, if they are fed a little, it greatly for- 
wards the brood; and it is often discovered that 
stocks fed in the early part of spring generally in- 
crease more in one week in numbers, than they would 
do in two weeks where no feed is allowed 

They sliould be in such a condition in September 
as to allow them to winter safely without feeding. 
They should weigh in my hives, twenty-five pounds 
above the weight of the hive, on the first of October 
for safe wintering on tlieir own collection of stores. 
If they fall below that weight in September, they 
should be joined or united with other stocks similar- 
ly proA^ded with honey, or be judiciously fed in Sep- 
tember, until they do contain twenty-five pounds 
net, which, together with the weight of the hive, 
will average seventy-five pounds. 

All hives and fixtures for the reception of bees and 
honey, should be weighed and the weight indelibly 
marked, with weight before bees are put into it. 
This is important." It not only confirms the bee- 
keeper in his systematic management, but it is actu- 
ally requisite in order to judge of the weight of 
stocks, and ascertain if feeding be required. 

Feeding unbolted rye or buckwheat flour, in the 
early part of spring, is a good preventive against 
" robbing." 

Honey is the best "bee-feed," and with my Book 
Hive, a stoek of bees can be kept alive through the 
winter on two-thirds of the honey it would require 



36 



to keep the same in the box hives. The rea- 
son is x>lain. The honey can he eqnally distrihnted 
to all the stock. If any' of the stock wants more at 
any time dnring the winter, on fair days '' rob Peter 
to pay Paul," by changing combs from strong stocks 
to the weaker ones, and by thus equalizing the stores 
the advantages of preservation of such stocks by the 
Movable-Comb Hive which can not be secured in the 
Box Hive. 



Ventilating Bees. 

For healthful ventilation, air should be supplied 
to the Hive, in a sufficient quantity to keep the Hive 
dry and sweet inside. 

JFor winter ventilation, the air should be admitted 
through the top of the hive, and on the outside of 
the comb frames only, so that the air will commingle 
with the rarilied air within, and thus equalize tlie 
temperature of the Hive. The old method of vent- 
ilating a hive at the bottom is the worst that can be 
adopted. Air is as necessary to the bee as to man. 
Their existence depends on its supply. Our Book 
Hive is ventilated perfectly. (See " General Re- 
marks," page 17.) 



To Keep Bees in a Hive from Year to Year 
"Without Running Out. 

This is accomplished by swarming bees artificially, 
that is by dividing them with the aid of my " Book 
Hive," whereby one-half of the comb is renewed an- 
nually. It is necessary every fourth year to remove 
the old comb, instead of dividing the swarm, while 
the bees are allowed to remain in the hive and refill 
it. This is easily done by lifting off the side contain- 
ing the old comb, and shaking the bees into the other 
part. One comb at a time is all that is necessary to 
be removed, after which they may be returned. The 
bees will continue in a healthy and active condition 
for years. It has been recommended to destroy all 



37 

the old queens, that are three years old and upward. 
But how are we to arrive at her age ? It could ouly 
be doue by marking the queens, uialving a registra- 
tion of royal births, or cutting olf one wing each 
year. The latter savors of the Jewish royal edict of 
Herod, that all children under two years, in Bethle- 
hem, should be slain. With the majority of bee keejj- 
ers it would not be etFectual. It cannot be commend- 
ed for practice. We insist that by renewing the 
combs once in four years, and dividing the stock hive 
as detailed above, is the only rational method to pre- 
serve bees in a prosperous condition for an indehuite 
time, and prevent their " running out." 

Order Italian Queens. 

We offer Italian Queens very loiv, at " club rates," 
to enable i)ersons who have large apiaries to Italian- 
ize them at once. By getting up a club for a few in 
a neighborhood, the express charges or postage on 
the queens will be less. We send queens by mail 
anywhere. Send for our irkk circulars in February 
in each vear, for yourself and friends. Send orders 
to W. A. FLANDERS & CO., 

Shelby, Ohio. 

Mrs. Tupper's Letter.— In the spring of 18C6 we 
sent one of our "Book Hives" to Mrs. E. S. Tupper, 
of Iowa, for trial, and on the 29th of June, 1866, she 
wrote us as follows: "The bees in your hive have 
filled it, also two of the boxes. The hive is much ad- 
mired, and opens with i)erfect ease; all the combs 
siraight and nice. I am preparing an article on " hives " 
for our county paper, which I will send you. 
In great haste, 

E. S. TUPPER. 

General Management of Bees. 

January Management. 

While there is little else to do with the bees, the 
bee keepers should study the habits and characteris- 
tics of the bees, as given in this manual, or other au- 
thors. Build hives for the following spring. Send 



38 



orders to my address, in season, for Hives, Books, Bee 
Charm, Circulars, etc. My motto is, '' first come, 
first served." 

February Management. 

Look well to your bees during this month, and see 
that they have a sufficiency of food. Should there 
be a want of honey, through inattention during- Sep- 
tember, attend to them as directed in the chapter on 
" Feeding." One thing the bee keeper should under- 
stand — "Proper and judicious bee culture forbids 
feeding in cold weather." A word to the wise is suf- 
ficient. Send for our circulars. 

March Management. 

Look to the bees with the same scrutiny as in Feb- 
ruary. See that your hives are finished for the en- 
suing year. If the climate and weather permit, put 
your bees out of doors. Take care that they have 
honey. 

April Management. 

Should your bees yet remain in winter quarters, 
this is the month that they should be set out in the 
summer residence. The willow now will afibrd them 
labor, from which they collect their "bee bread." A 
few stocks should only be set out at one time, as they 
be required to settle into their right hives. Those 
that are deficient in "bee bread," can be supplied 
with a composition of the yolks of eggs (hard boiled) 
and unbolted rye or buckwheat flower, mixed with a 
little honey. This is an excellent preparation for 
bees in spring. It infuses vigor and strength into 
the queen, and causes her to lay rapidly. All com- 
municatious above the hives should now be closed, to 
assist early breeding and keep the bees out of the 
caps. 

May Management. 

The flowers and fruit trees now put forth their 
blossoms, redolent with the sweet scents of honey 
and perfume. The l)usy bee enjoys the rich harvest 
with its diurnal toils. The bee keeper should be no 



39 



less assiduous in his attentions to tlieso faithful la- 
borers. Then look to your bees ; see that they are 
iu good condition — in good working trim. 

About the twentieth is an excellent time to divide 
a few of your strongest stocks, in order that your 
queenless hives will have ten days to construct the 
royal cells. These you will need to supj)ly your 
stocks created artificially, and which are queenless, a 
week before natural swarms issue. Study the chap- 
ter on ''Artificial Swarming," and follow the text 
closely. About the last of the month, if the season 
is favorable, artificial gwarming may commence, pro- 
vided the drones are numerous, and the weather has 
become from its cold and chilly nature to warm, 
abounding in thunder storms. ( See " Artificial 
Swarming.") Send the names of bee keepers to us. 

June Management. 

Surplus boxes should be supplied to all hives this 
month. This may be considered the swarming month. 
Place small pieces of comb into your surplus honey 
boxes to start the bees Visit them often, and when 
natural swarming is allowed, watch them closely. 
About the time secession is at its height, and swarm 
after swarm escapes to the woods, amid the din and 
confusion of beating pans and kettles, the value of 
the Book Hive seems priceless. No less valuable are 
the ''instructions" for returning fugitive swarms. 

When swarms issue, proceed as directed in the 
chapters on "Natiiral Swarming" and "Preventing 
Overswarming." Remove all honey boxes and re- 
place them with empty ones. Use a little smoke to 
quiet the bees during the exchange of boxes. Order 
Italian queens now. 

July Management. 

The directions for this month are like those of 
June. Remove the honey boxes when full. Study 
September management. 

August Management. 

Be untiring in attor.tion. Watch the moth and 
robbers — two enemies of auccess. Thus, by care and 



40 



watchfulness, the api.irian has an interesting? and 
highly remunerative employment; without them, 
loss and vexatious di;-;a|>pointment. 

SErXEMKER MaNAGEIMENT IN A MoVABLE-COMB 

Hive. 

During this month the surplus honey should be re- 
moved and the stocks thoroughly exaudned, to see 
that they all have queens. The hives may he open- 
ed, and if no eggs or brood is seen, the owner should 
mark it " Queenless." Thus designated, it will be 
ready for union with another swarm in October, or 
to Italianize at once. 

Should there be a dehciency of honey (twenty-five 
pounds above the weight of the hive), supply them 
with food, in order that they may fully come up to 
that weight. If any young swarms are deficient of 
" bread," change a comb or two with an old stock 
that has an excess. (See ''Feeding Bees.") 

N. B. — Always brush the bees back into the origi- 
nal hive, for the safety of the queen. 

Septembek and Octobeu Management with 
Common Hives. 

This is the season that the unfeeling bee keeper 
resorts to the " Brimstone Practice," and confiscates 
the honey to apply it to his own use, in payment for 
his self-supposed generosity in furnishing his bees 
with a supper, with mtl^jhur for dessert. 

October Management. 

Close the hive so as to prevent "robbers" from 
gaining admittance, allowing only a passage for the 
bees to pass singly into the hive. It is now the 
proper time to unite swarms, that Avill not winter, 
with other stocks. Open the poorest hive and look 
the comb over until jou see the queen ; catch her 
(she never stings) with the fingers, and put her in a 
queen cage, as you may want her to place in your hives 
marked " Queenless" in September. (See remarks on 
our " queen cages," page 49, " Introducing Queens ") 
Then join this hive with another, after smoking them. 



41 

unless jovLV bees are in the Book Hive; in which 
case you will unite them by chanf^ing the halves of 
each hive, according to the directions given in an- 
other place. (See uniting swarms, under Natural 
Swarming and Hiving Bees.) 

November Management with Box Hives. 

Put them into "winter quarters" (if in New Eng- 
land.) — A dry, dark, cool place is best. Invert and 
set them on blocks, bottom side upward. Cover them 
over with a thin cloth. Look after them once in a 
while during the winter. Place them out in April. 
With the Book Hives, see that they remain without 
robbing, is sufficient. 

December Management with Movable-Comb 
Hive. 

If the weather is cold, the bees can be protected 
by turning a dry goods box, or something of a similar 
construction, over the hives. If you have a cellar 
that is dry, dark and cool, put them into it on joists 
laid on the cellar floor, that raises them from the 
ground. (See Method of Ventilating, also Improved 
Method of Wintering Bees.) 



Wintering Bees— Improved Method. 

Great diversity of opinion has always prevailed 
among practical apiarians, in relation to the protec- 
tion of bees during the inclemency, frosts and change- 
ableness of the winter season. Many practice bury- 
ing them in the ground ; some carry them into out- 
houses, cellars and other protected localities ; others 
leave them remain on the summer stand, risking their 
welfare and perpetuity to Providence or the care of 
nature. All these liave serious objections. They not 
unfrequently induce disease, mouldiness of comb, or 
incidents fraught with damage and perhaps total ex- 
tinction. To leave them remain on their stands, they 
are subject to the fickle character of the weather. 
One day the air is balmy, inviting an outdoor visit ; 
the next, piercing cold, causes a closer nestling for 
warmth, while the stiffened limbs soon unnerves the 
4 



42 



bee, and hurries certain death. The rapid changes 
from warm to cokl have their consumptive forebod- 
ings, and the bee tribe is no hiSs subject to the ill- 
effects of changes than man. To obviate the risks 
ran by these common metliods, with their colhiteral 
damages, I have invented an improved bee wintering 
plan. It at once overcomes all the objections to the 
various plans of general usage, and secures the fol- 
lowing happy results : First, it furnishes an equal 
and uniform temperature during the season ; second, 
the bees nre kept dormant, in a cool, dry, and jierfecthj 
darlc situation, so safely that hives need not bo closed 
at all. 

This "winter aj)iary" is built wdth straw, tightly 
compressed into walls, having an inside and an out- 
side wall, between Avhich tan-bark and planing shav- 
ings or saw-dust may be packed. The general con- 
struction is as follows : Select a dry jdace as conven- 
ient to visit as possible, near to the dwelling, away 
from stock, shed or yard, &,c. Prepare a foundation 
of the requisite width and length for your hives. 
Where a large number has to be housed, eight feet is 
the best width, as that distance will allow the hives 
to be placed on each side, and admit an aisle between 
the rows of hives. Joists should be laid twi the 
ground and well ballasted with earth. A floor is 
then laid, and a two-inch plank should be htted 
around the outside, on the top of the joists, under 
the walls of the house ; these serve as sills. They 
should be a foot in width. Draw a line two and one- 
half inches from each edge, on this plank, and another 
line on the middle of the plank. Bore a hole six 
inches from the end of the plank, and about two inch- 
es in diameter. Let it go through the plank and sill. 
Continue to bore similar holes at a foot distant 
around the building, on each line drawn ; thus three 
rows of auger holes will be made. " Uprights" may 
be taken from the woods if studding cannot be con- 
veniently obtained, (I prefer the former) These 
posts or uprights should l)e three inches in diameter, 
and perfectly straight. For the back part of the 
building, the posts should be about six feet in height, 
the front and ends about seven and a half to eight 
feet, ranging the end posts so as to give the roof a 



43 



suitable "pitch" when complete. These uprights 
are driven into the auger holes ; we then have two 
frames complete, ready for the filling of straw. This 
is laid between the uprights, in a horizontal position, 
and broken " round the corners." Beat it down well 
as each course is laid, so as to secure solidity. As 
the filling of straw progresses, the space between the 
walls is filled with any suitable material. At equal 
distances of three feet, withes are woven in between 
the upright posts, to bind the structure together. A 
straight edge may be used on the upright posts, back 
and front, at the ends, in order to mark the proper 
pitch of roof. Having completed the walls, a cord 
or wire should tie the upright posts at the top. Make 
a " clam]>ed roof," of straw for the top, then let shin- 
gles or boards complete the roof. A door should bo 
put into one end. A thin partition of straw should 
first be made across the room, about four feet within 
the outside door. In this partition insert a door, then 
complete your building by an outside door. It needs 
no window, as it is a primary object to secure perfect 
darkness. 

This architecture of straw, poles, &.C., forms a se- 
cure habitation for bees, against the fickle blasts of 
winter. The expense is altogether a trifle ; the ma- 
terials can be found on any farm ; while at moments 
when released from the labor of the farm, it can be 
erected. You can visit them frequently. Be careful 
when entering to close the outside door before open- 
ing the inner one, and let no sunlight enter the inte- 
rior. The passage between the doors has claims for 
its usefulness. Irt the spring, when bees are to be 
changed to the summer stand, one or two hives can 
be placed in this vestibule, with the outer door closed, 
and after closing the inner door, their removal will 
not permit tl e sunlight to enter. 

The iDreparation of the winter hives is as follows : 
If a Movable-Comb or Book Hive, open it, and with 
a small knife cut an inch hole through each comb. 
Bend a piece of sand pajier around the forefinger, 
and slii^ the sand paper into the hole to remain. This 
secures a winter passage through all the combs, and 
enables the bees to obtain feed at all times. The 



u 



holes slionld be cut about two-thirds the height from 
the bottom, and near the centre. 

The hives being prepared for "winter quarters," 
should be removed to them, at the time that jierma- 
nent cold weather arrives. Set them on benches two 
feet in height. (See "Ventilating" for instructions 
on that subject.) 

It would "be advisable to construct the apiary about 
eight inches wider at the top than bottom, to prevent 
the snow and rain from lodging on it. The walls 
should be well braced on the inside, by strips, to pre- 
vent the wind from dislodging it. 

I never have had a stock of bees die in winter, 
properly housed in an apiary of this construction, 
and well regarded for in the passages .'uid ventila- 
tion. Persons adopting this plan will usr i]o other. 

Parties purchasing my hives, &c., will have the 
right to construct the "Straw Apiary," as above. 
Any infringement will not be allowed. 

When only a hive or two are kept, "caps" or 
" clamps " may be made to cover single hives. They 
are of little exj)ense, and are easily hoisted off when 
an examination is desirable. 

Dzierzon Theory. 

The following propositions (which were published 
for the first time in English by the " American Bee 
Journal,") embraces, substantially, the entire Dzeir- 
zon Theory. "They are, as far as they contain or 
propound anything novel, deducted from the person- 
al observations and experiments of that celebrated 
Apiarian." Having demonstrated the truthfulness of 
this theory in all its practical bearings ux)on bee cul- 
ture, I am satisfied that the culture of the honey bee 
cannot be conducted with the judgment and skill re- 
quisite to justify an expectation of successful results 
without an accurate and familiar acquaintance with 
this theory. " The practical operations must be based 
upon the theory, which hence becomes a proper sub- 
ject for study."' The theory is embraced in the fol- 
lowing propositions : 

FiEST. A colony of bees in its normal condition 
consists of three characteristically different kinds of 



45 



individuals — the queen, workers, and (at certain pe- 
riods,) the drones. 

Second. In the normal condition of a colony, the 
queen is the only perfect female present in the hive, 
and lays all the eggs found therein. These eggs are 
male and female. From the former proceed the 
drones ; fi'om the latter, if laid in narrow cells, pro- 
ceed the workers or undeveloped females ; and from 
them, also, iflaid or removed into wider, acorn-shaped 
and vertically suspended, so-called royal cells, lav- 
ishly supplied with a peculiar pabulum or jelly, pro- 
ceed the queens. 

Thiiid. The queen possesses the ability to lay male 
or female eggs at pleasure, as the particular cell she 
is at any time supjdying may require. 

Fourth. In order to become qualified to lay both 
male and female eggs, the queen must be fecundated 
by a drone or male bee. 

Fifth. The fecundation of the queen is always 
effected outside of the hive, in the open air, and while 
on the wing. Consequently, in order to hecome fully 
fertile, that is, capable of laying both male and female 
eggs, the queen must leave her hive at least once. 

Sixth. In the act of copulation the genitalia of 
the drone enters the valva of the queen, and the 
drone simultaneously perishes. 

Seventh. The fecundation of the queen, once ac- 
complished, is efficacious during her life, or so long 
as she remains healthy and vigorous ; and she never 
afterwards leaves the hive, except when issuing with 
a swarm. 

Eighth. The ovary of the queen is not impreg- 
nated in co]3ulation ; but a small visicle or sac situa- 
ted near the termination of the oviduct, and commu- 
nicating therewith, becomes charged with the semen 
of the drone. 

Ninth. All eggs germinated in the ovary of the 
queen tend to develop as males and do develop as 
such, unless impregnated by the male sperm while 
passing the month of the seminal sac or spermatheca, 
when descending to the oviduct. If they be thus 
impregnated in the downward passage (which im- 
pregnation the queen can effect or omit at pleasure) 
they develop a female. 



46 



Tenth. If a queen remains unfecundatetl, slie or- 
dinarily does not lay ei^gs. Still, exceptional cases 
do sometimes occur, and tlie eggs then laid produce 
drones only. (She is called a drone layer ) 

Eleventh. If, in consequence of superanuation, 
the contents of the spermatheca of a fecundated 
queen become exhausted ; or if, from enervation or 
accident she lose the power of using the muscles con- 
nected with the spermatheca so as to he unable to 
impregnate the passing egg, she will thenceforward 
lay drone eggs only. 

Twelfth. As some unfccundated queens occas- 
ionally lay drone eggs, so also in queenless colonies, 
no longer having the requisite means of rearing a 
queen, common workers are sometimes found, that 
lay eggs from which drones and drones only, proceed. 
These workers are likewise unfecundated ; and the 
eggs are uniformly laid by some individual bee, re- 
garded more or less by her companions as their queen. 

Thirteenth. So long as a fertile queen is present 
in the hive, the bees do not tolerate a fertile worker. 
Nor do they tolerate one while cherishing a hope of 
being able to rear a queen. In rare instances, how- 
ever, exceptional cases occur. Fertile workers are 
sometimes found in hives immediately after the death 
of the queen ; and even in the presence of a young 
queen, so long as she has not herself hecome fertile^ 



Ligurian or Golden Bee, from Italy. 




DRONE. 





QUEEN. 

Our Italian Bees. 



WORKER. 



47 



KELLEY'S island ITALIAN BEE APIARY, AND BEE- 
KEEPERS' INSTITUTE, ON KELLEY'S ISLAND, OHIO : 
ESTABLISHED A.D. 1866, BY W. A. FLANDERS, & CO. 

In offering our circular for this season we tender 
our thanks to the public for a liberal patronage the 
past year, and hope by strict attention to the wants 
of our patrons to merit a continuance of the same. 
Onr object in selecting this beautiful Island, was to 
isolate our Italian bees by removing them away from 
the native bees, that we might secure absolute certain- 
ty in furnishing pure bred stock to bee-keepers at 
reasonable rates. This we have accomplished, as there 
were no bees on the Island until we brought ours 
here, and it is several miles across the water to any 
place where the native bees are kept. We employ 
the best cultivators, who are capable to teach the 
science and art of theoretical and practical bee-cul- 
ture. 

Kelley's Island (so celebrated for grapes and wine) 
is about twelve miles from Sandusky City, Erie coun- 
ty, Ohio, on Lake Erie. It is one of the most beauti- 
ful places for " Summer Resort " found on the lakes. 
Steamboats, carrying the mail and express, run be- 
tween the Island and Sandusky City daily. In size, 
the island is about equal to an ordinary township — 
ten square miles : 1 1 is thickly inhabited and healthy 
— society all that can be desired. 

We guarantee satisfaction to our patrons, or make 
no charge for instruction. 

Our charge is $25 per term, of five weeks, which 
will give you a good understanding of our system, as 
well as the general principles of bee-culture. 

OUR ITALIAN BEES. 

The above are correct representations of our late 
importation of Italian bees. The golden color on the 
bees is represented by the light color in the cuts- 
They are remarkably delicate and slender in form, 
with colors clear and &ri<//t/^— markings very distinct. 
They were procured from Mr. Antonis Frauchi, near 
Ligo di Como, in Italy, where they are exclusively 
kept and cultivated in all their purity. Our Mr. 
Flanders having been appointed by the American 



48 



Bee-Keeper's Association, (held in March, 1860, in 
Cleveland, Ohio,) as one of a committee to receive 
and cultivate the Italians for that Association ; and 
having the S. B. Parsons and Wm Eose, and late 
Langstroth importation, we flatter ourselves that we 
are able to detect any impurity wherever it exists. 
Thus, hy care and watchfulness in selecting the most 
valuable " Queen Mothers," we expect to keep up 
and improve this noble race of bees. And having 
established our "Kelley's Island Apiary," every 
queen that we rear will be jmre and impregnated by 
the pure Italian drone. And as one impregnation 
lasts during the life of the queen, the jmrchaser can 
rely upon having a 2:)ur€ queen to rear others from 
while she survives - three or four years. By remov- 
ing the native queen from a hive and giving them the 
Italian queen in a short time the whole stock will he pure 
Italians. From the reports of the agricultural papers 
in this country and in Europe, as well as from letters 
from our numerous correspondents and patrons in the 
United States during the six years we have cultivated 
the Italians, we are fully convinced that they sustain 
their high European reputation over our native bees. 
We have arrangments with reliable breeders in 
Italy and Europe, to send us choice queens each sea- 
son, so that we may be able to avoid too close ( in- 
and-in) breeding. Our late importation from Antouis 
Franchi, we believe, is not excelled by any bees in 
any country. 

Test of Purity for Italian Bees. 

We tind the test of purity which " The American 
Bee Journal" announced last September, the most 
sensible and reliable. It is based upon the test of 
Count Stoscli, and is as follows : " That a queen may 
be regarded as pure, and piirely fertilized when 
young queens reared from her worker brood and 
fertilized by her drorics, produce workers who haA^e 
three golden bands jjassiug around the body." By 
the above it will be noticed that the markings of the 
workers are the only reliable test of purity in the 
race, since there is nothing reliable in the markings 
and deportment of the queens or drones to indicate 



49 



tlie staaidard of purity. Queens and drones from the 
same motjier, vary greatly in color ; the best being 
reared while the workers are collecting honey abun 
dantly, and from strong colonies, in June and July. 

Rearing Queens. 

This is done by placing a stock or small hive in a 
queenless condition. The requisites are young bees 
for nurses; eggs in worker-cells, of not more than 
four days old, with the necessary supply of feed and 
combs. By removing a queen from an Italian stock 
the bees will generally start from a half dozen to a 
dozen cells, which will be perfected in ten days after 
the queen was taken from them. On the tenth day 
these cells may be removed to other hives (made 
queenless six hours previous), to hatch out there ; or 
they may be x>rotected in their original position, and 
after they hatch, they can be introduced to full 
stocks or nucleus boxes. By rearing a set of queens 
for each of your swarms from the Italian queen we 
send you, the^'rs^ season, and the next season another 
set from the queen we send you to replace those you 
reared the first season, you will Italize your whole 
apiary. The modus operandi is as follows : The first 
lot of queens you rear will i)roduce hybrids, as the 
young queens will be fertilized by your native drones, 
but the next season these hybridized queens will pro- 
duce pure drones, which will fertilize your second 
year's brood of queens. Occasionally a queen will 
meet a drone from a neighbor's hive and produce hy- 
brids. Such queens may be replaced. Parties who 
expect to i^ractice queen-raising extensively, should 
attend our ''Institute.'^ (See Dzierzon's Theory.) 

Introducing Queens. 

Our improved " Queen Cage " will be sent with 
each queen, the queen being safely protected in it 
from injury on the route. The black queen must be 
removed and the stock examined for '^queen-cells" 
(if in the swarming season) Destroy all such cells, 
and let the otock remain quiet for about eight days, 
and then examine it again, and cut away or destroy 



50 



every queen-cell started, and take off the little cap 
from the artificial qiieeu-cell at the bottom of the 
cage we send the queen to you in, and touch the 
jioint of the cell in a little melted beeswax, so as to 
form a thin cap over the end of it. When the " wax 
cap " is cooled, stick a pin through the wax so as to 
allow the queen to put her bill tlirough it to notify 
the bees of her desire to escape, and place the cage 
between the ranges of combs, taking care that no 
obstruction is near the bottom of the artificial cell to 
prevent the queen's exit. As all the queens we 
ship are confined when received (with the exception 
of putting in the back slide), the introduction is 
easily done, and the queens can be kept,safely in our 
improved ''shipping cage," in a moderately warm 
place (in darkness), until her introduction, and fed as 
easily as a canary bird, without removing her from 
the cage, as she goes down through the artificial cell 
in the cage and feeds from a reservoir of liquid honey 
the same as when on the route. Wlien she is received 
she must he kept from the sunlight, and the reservoir 
taken off and some honey put into it (about a tea- 
spoonful) ; after which the reservoir is to be put on 
the cell again, and the caged queen put into the stock 
that the black queen was removed from to remain 
until the swarm is in the proper condition for her 
introduction. We will notify our joatrons some ten 
DAYS, before we ship queens, of the day we will ship 
them, in order to have the swarms prepared for them. 
A stock cannot be expected to be reared from the 
few bees we ship with each queen. (See Shijjpiug 
Queens by Mail.) 

Wlien we notify you of the shipment of your 
queens, all instructions will be sent you not explain- 
ed here. 

In concluding this article we will give Mrs. E. S. 
Tupper's experience with the Italians. She is a prac- 
tical bee-keeper, and is in every way worty of full 
credit for her statements. It is what may be expected 
from the Italians in any good locality, with proper 
management : 

Mrs Tiqjper's Experienee with the Italians. 
'' In the summer of 1863 I had but two stands of 



51 



the Italian bees, and those not pure. One of these 
stored 110 pounds of honey, besides givin<r three 
swarms. The other fijave two swarms and stored 96 
pounds of honey ; all the young swarms filled their 
hives, and some of them stored honey in the boxes. 
I had, the same season, fifty-six hives of the common 
bees, but not one of these stored a pound of surplus 
honey, though a part of them were divided. That 
was the xioorest honey season ever known in this 
section. 

*' In the summer of 1865 I averaged from nine Ital- 
ian colonies 118 pounds each. The best of these 
shows the following record in my journal: One full 
swarm taken from it the 20th of May ; 156 pounds of 
honey taken in boxes; stored by the swarm, 80 
pounds; from the swarm there came a swarm (Aug- 
ust 15tli) which filled its hive and partly filled two 
boxes. Thus we have 236 pounds of honey, besides 
two large swarms, from a single hive ! The same 
summer I had thirty stands of common bees, which 
I prevented from swarming, yet with no increase; 
from them I obtained only 1,655 pounds of honey, or 
an average of about 56 pounds to each. The largest 
yield from either was 96 iiounds. 

" In 1865 I had an average of 93 pounds from six 
Italian colonies, all of which were divided once and 
much destnrbed by taking brood from them to rear 
queens. During the same time I did not take a 
pound of honey from any colony of common bees, 
though I divided them all, and gave each an Italian 
queen. Not only do they store more honey, but their 
queens are much more prolific than the black queens. 

" It is wonderful how much brood may be taken 
from one of these queens. From one hive the last 
season I took thirty-two frames of brood and eggs at 
different times from which to rear queens, and from 
another thirty-six frames, yet both hives were as 
strong in the fall as any of the common ones from 
which only one swarm had been taken. As ten frames 
fill one of my hives, it will be seen that this was 
equal to three full swarms from one and more than 
three and a half from the other." 

The following letters show whether our queens 
meet the expectations of the best breeders in this 



52 



couutry, or whether we fill orders with qiieeiis as 
'' highly colored" as our cuts indicate : 

Brighton, July 25, 1866. 

W. A. Flanders — Dear Sir : Your queens are received 
all right. They look just like all that I rear this 
year. I shall send you two next Monday (30th). 
They are of the Colviii stock. I have nothing that 
I succeed half as well in rearing light, bright queens 
from. I am disappointed in the queens received from 
Langstroth and Quinby last season. Neither of them 
produce good light queens. That is, full one-half are 
dark, and, occasionally, I have from them a Mack 
queen. I do not think it safe to propagate from such 
queens. I have few orders for queens as yet Many 
are rearing and selling hybrid queens at three and 
five dollars each. I sell none that I have not fully 
tested and can warrant. In time I shall have orders 
at my own price, and then I will send to you. 
Yoiu's trulv, 

ELLEN S. TUPPEE. 

The queens which Mrs. Tupper refers to were re- 
ceived by us in due time, all right, and prove to be 
fully up to her recommendation ; and on the ^Oth of 
August, 1866, we received a letter from Mrs. Tupper, 
from which we extract the following : 

" I have already reared several queens from one of 
the queens you sent me, which are dujMcates of her- 
self, and if they meet Colvin drones I shall be satis- 
fied. Truly, E. S. TUPPER." 

St. Ch arises, July 20, 1867. 

Messrs. JV. A. Flanders cj- Co.: 

I have 240 stocks of bees, 60 yoiTug Italian queens, 
and 7 old ones of Langstroth's stock. I wish to pro- 
cure queens of you, if you can let me have one or 
more as well marked, and that will produce queens 
as highly colored as the cuts of yours in the "Ameri- 
can Bee Gazette." If you can fill my order as above, 
reply by return mail. 

JAMES M. MARVIN. 



53 



We sent Mr. Marvin some queens, and he ordered 
a second lot, after which he wrote us as follows : 

St. Charles, Sept. 12, 1866. 

Messrs. W. A. Flanders ^ Co.: 

I have been waiting until I tested the first queens 
I purchased of you, before acknowledging the re- 
ceipt of the last. I think I can produce clear yellow 
queens (and workers the color the queens are). I have 
seen eight or ten, and they are all well colored. 
Yours truly, 

JAMES M. MARVIN. 

Chillicothe, Mo., Nov. 4, 1866. 
W. A. Flanders f Co.: 

Gentlemen : — The six Italian queens you shipped 
me arrived in fine condition. I am well pleased with 
them. They are as handsome queens as any I ever 
saw. I introduced them to native stocks as soon as 
they arrived. I am satisfied they are the finest 
queens in North Missouri. It is indeed a lively sight, 
of a warm day, to witness their golden progeny as 
they sally forth in the sunlight. 

Success to your enterprise. 

ROBERT L. SEAY. 

Last season, after we had finished shipping queens, 
we received many letters and orders that we could 
not fill. The following is a sample of those who were 
disappointed. (Give us your orders early, and we 
will fill them at fair rates) : 

Mt. Lebanon, Columbia Co., N. Y., 
September 4th, 1866. 
W. A. Flanders : 

Truly Respected Friend :— Of course I have to 
kindly acknowledge the receipt of your circular. 
Please accept thanks. I regret, however, you cannot 
furnish any more queens this fall. I regret, also, that 
you contemplate raising the price of your queens, 
not because /am not willing to pay a good price for 



54 

a queen, as I have spent already $200 on queens, and 
raised many for the market, but it is my opinion your 
firm will make more money not to raise the price on 
your queens than to raise it. I much admire your 
advantageous location. 

Respectfully, 

GILES B. AVERY. 

Mahomet, Oct. 8th, 1866. 
Messrs. W. A. Flanders <|- Co.: 

We wish to inquire whether you can ship us any 

more Italian queens this fall. Those we received 

from you are sjilendkl bees, and we would like a few 

more of the same kind, if we could get them this fall. 

Very respectfullv, 

CHERRY & TUCKER. 

To Capture W^ild Bees -without Cutting the 
Tree or Finding It. 

Take an emjity hive and bore a five-eighths inch 
hole through its side, and introduce a tin tube which 
fills the hole, and long enough to reach into the cen- 
tre of the hive. Now drop three or four drops of W. 
A. Flanders' "Bee Charm" into the hive. (This 
Charm is compounded and prepared from the extract 
of queen bees, fenugreek and anise. Price 50 cents 
per box. Sent by mail, post-paid.) Then bore an 
inch hole opposite the tube's end, so that when the 
tube is covered with glass the light will shine through 
this tube. 

Now take a box with a hinged cover (smaller than 
the hive) with one side wanting, and bore a five- 
eighths inch hole into this box, and i^lace the open 
side of it to the hive's side, where the tube is put in- 
to the hive. Now lift the cover to this box and set 
into it a plate of sugar water — honey is better. The 
box should fit the hive's side so as to exclude the 
light, &c., having another tube like the one in the 
hive, with a curtain over the end, so fixed as to ex- 
clude the light but admit the bees, &c. The hive is 
to be closed and ventilated. A piece of brood comb 
can be put into it before the bees are introduced, for 



oo 



the captured bees to raise a queen, or a queen may 
be given them afterward. 

OPERATION. 

Beini^ near where we suppose the tree is situated, 
we catch a bee (from a Hower) in the curtained tube, 
and run it into the feed box, through the hole, and 
after the bee has had time to fill itself, withdraw the 
tube. The bee will soon go home loaded, and re- 
turn with its companions for more feed. In a short 
time the Avhole swarm will be at work carrying otf 
the feed. Now put the tube through the hole in the 
box and let it remain. The bees go through the tube 
as they did the hole before the tube w^as put into it, 
and as the curtain over its end prevents the light 
from shining into the feed bos, and as the light shines 
through the glass and tube in the hive, into the feed 
box, the bees pass into the hive and hive themselves 
of course. 

Now if you suspect they belong to your neighbor's 
hives, you can easily satisfy yourself by carrying the 
hive near by, and if a few bees, which you will let 
out, pass to your neighbor's hives and enter, you will 
let the swarm go, of course, to the hives. You can 
try them at your hives, and ascertain if they are 
your bees, and if they are, operate as you like. Con- 
fine them four daj^s with brood comb or queen, and 
give them water and feed, and they will go to work, 
when let out in the evening of the fourth day, even 
if they were "disloyal robbers" belonging to several 
hives of your own, and they remain. 



THE PRESS. 

Bee-Keepees' Institute on Kelley's Island. — 
We always hail with joy any ncAv advance in apia- 
rian science, and so we gladly make mention of the 
advent of an institution in which may be learned the 
art and science of bee-culture. If it is to be con- 
ducted as it ought to be conducted, and as we doubt 
not it will be, it cannot help attaining popularity 
and favor. Such an institution ought to be a na- 
tional institution, and enlist all the interest and sym- 



56 



patliy of the American aparian. Bee-keeping is too 
little understood by those of our land who are most 
favorably situated for its profitable pursuit. In Eu- 
rope such institutions are carried on with success, 
and receive a large support from national treasuries, 
and this ought to be supported. Mr. Flanders' knowl- 
edge of bee-culture, and his success in managing 
bees, makes him eminently fitted to instruct and en- 
com-age the amateur. We do not advocate such an 
institution, either, because Mr. Flanders is y c its 
head. If any other aparian had taken the rein.v we 
should speak as plainly and as warmly. Such an in- 
stitution will not pay at once, and so Mr. F. wisely 
combines it with his own api-nursery of pure Italian 
queens, for the j)rofitable raising of which he seems 
most fortunately situated. Such an institution as 
that founded by Mr. F. ought to be in connection 
with every State agricultural college in the Union, 
with a good-sized apiary, which, with a practical 
apiarian professor at its head, would do much toward 
maintaining its own support, besides instructing 
such young men in bee-keeing as may be preparing 
themselves for an intelligent and practical pursuit 
of agriculture. Such state agricultural colleges as 
have been so lately endowed by national munificence 
in the gift of land-scrip, will do well in forming their 
facilities for instruction, not to neglect so important 
a branch of domestic industry as bee-keeping, and 
give it a most prominent j)lace. — Ainerican Bee Ga- 
zette (August, 1866). 



Kelley's Island Italian Bee Apiary and Bee- 
Keepers' Institute. 

We have received from Mr. W. A. Flanders, the 
inspiring and presiding genius of the above institu- 
tions, an illustrated circular giving a full account 
of the operations carried on under his supervition. 
In the first place, an apiary has been established 
on Kelley's Island, for the special purpose of rais- 
ing pure Italian queens and stocks. There were 
no native bees on the island prior to Mr. Flanders 
taking up his abode on it, and as it is several miles 
distant from the main land there is no possibility of 



57 



intermixture with common bees. The price list offers 
Italian queens at from $b to $20 each, according to 
age, time they are sent, and the number ordered. 
Mr. Flanders' address is at Shelby, Ohio. — Canada 
Farmer. 



It is not in our province to puff resurrection pills 
nor the patent nostrums and humbugs of the day, 
but when we become acquainted with anything cal- 
culaf'^'d to promote the good of the public or of indi- 
viduals we feel called upon to give it a passing notice. 
W. A. Flanders' Bee Hive is the result of much study 
and labor on the part of the inventor. He having 
labored for a long time under a physical debility 
which disqualified him from his usual vocation, he 
turned his attention more particularly to the cultiva- 
tion of bees, of the habits of which, by the aid of 
books and careful observation, he has obtained a 
thorough knowledge. We think his hive the best in 
use, having used it, as well as many others. — Vermont 
Christian Messmga'. 

From the Cleveland Review. 

Traveling Bees. — A swarm of bees Jbelonging to 
W. W. Richards, of Solon, in one of the newly pat- 
ented hives of W. A. Flanders, of Shelby, was taken 
in September by the railroad to Cleveland, and 
on the 11th of September sent by express to Cincin- 
nati, to the United States Fair, where it took the 
first premium, and was then sent to Dayton to the 
Ohio State Fair. After taking the premium, it came, 
via Toledo, back to Cleveland ; it was then sent to 
Detroit, to the Michigan State Fair. It came to this 
city again, and was started off to Indianapolis to the 
Indiana State Fair, and has since returned in fine con- 
dition for wintering. At the United States Fair, Mr. 
Flanders placed a division of the Swarm around the 
bare neck of a gentleman, and the other division in 
his hat, and went across the track to a car and had 
his picture taken with the swarm thus suspended 
from his chin, showing that, with " movable combs," 
these insects can be controlled as Earey tames the 
horse, and that bees may be shipped with safety. 

[The above swarm went over 1,300 miles. 1 
5 



58 

From the Daily Sentinel, Indianapolis, Ind. 
Eeport op the State Fair, September 30, 1863. 

Professor W. A. Flanders, of Shelby, Oliio, the iu- 
veutor of Flanders' celebrated bee-hives, is present 
with his inimitable show of wit and humor — impart- 
ing useful lessons in the art of '^ Bee Taming,^^ bee 
raising and bee feeding. His hives are valuable and 
have received the highest testimonials from parties 
who have them in use. They are considered a per- 
fect preventive against all kinds of enemies to the 
bee. They are also very simple, and any farmer or 
farmer's wife can easily understand and use them. 
The Professor also sells " Sweet Love," a discovery of 
his own — put up in small bottles for the small sum 
of 50 cents. This is used for charming swarming, 
and changing the bees, and so powerful is the attrac- 
tion that an entire swarm can be collected with three 
drops of the ^'essenceJ^ No person should visit the 
Fair without making the acquaintance of the Pro- 
fessor. He is worthy of confidence and belief. 

[I will add that the Committee awarded me the 
highest and only premium at the above Fair, for the 
best method of handling bees, and that L. Twining, the 
Bee Tamer, was present and handled his bees.] 



TESTIMONIALS. 

The following statement is from the Hon. David 
Williams, of Springfield, Walworth county, Wiscon- 
sin, who is now President of the Wisconsin State Ag- 
ricultural Society, and Vice-President of the Wis- 
consin State Bee-keepers' Association : 

Madison, Wis., Feb. 9, 1865. 
This is to certify that I am very well acquainted 
with nearly all the patent bee-hives of any note ; have 
the right to the Langstroth patent ; am a practical 
apiarian of over twenty years' experience. I have 
carefully examined W. A.' Flanders' Book Bee-Hive, 
and will say that I believe it is superior to any I ever 
saw ; and can cheerfully recommend it to apiarians, 
with the full conviction that it is the best hive ever 
invented. DAVID WILLIAMS. 



59 



Cardington, Morrow Co., O., June 23, 1862. 

We hereby certify that in the spring of 1861, we 
took the agency of W. A. Flanders, for the sale of 
his "Movable Comb Bee Hives," and for rights in 
Morrow, Union and Knox counties in this State, and 
as soon as we had tested the hives we purchased the 
territory above mentioned. Upon a further trial, we 
bought the right for four additional counties, making 
seven counties in all. 

We have manufactured and sold over three hun- 
dred hives this season, and have now on hand none 
unsold. 

We have this day purchased additional territory of 
Mr. Flanders, as we consider these hives the best now 
extant. 

PHELPS & ANDEEWS, 
Commission Merchants, Cardington, 0. 

The following is the opinion of S. B. Parsons, (ivho first 
imported the Italian Bee into America,) on Movable 
Comb Hives. 

" It should be clearly understood that a Movable 
Comb Hive is essential to the successful rearing of 
this bee, because it enables the bee keeper to intro- 
duce the queen more readily, to examine the combs 
frequently, and at all times to know the condition 
of his stock." 

Oxrinion of M. Quinhy, who has probably the largest apiary 
in the United States. 

"There is rot the least doubt in my mind that 
whatever realizes the greatest possible benefit from 
his bees, will have to retain the movable combs in 
some form. The principle — movable combs can 
hardly be dispensed with." 

Madison, Wis., Feb. 10, 1865 
I can fully indorse the above statement of Presi- 
dent Williams, as I consider Flanders' bee-hive as far 
in advance in improvement upon the common mov- 
able-comb hives in use as the movable-comb hives 
are over the old box bee-hives. 

(Signed) A. H. BUSH, 

Pres. Wisconsin State Bee-Keepers Association . 



00 



PREMIUMS AWAEDED. 




Tbe United States Agricultural Society awarded 
me the 

GKAND SILVER MEDAL, 



The First Premium over the following Hives on Ex- 
hibition : Langstroth's, Townley's, Palmer & Leedy's, 
Kelsey's, Harbison's and UnderhilPs, in the fall of 
1860. 

At the Ohio State Fair of 1863 my Book Hive 
took the First (and only) Premium, over King's 
"American Bee Hive." Langstkoth's and Cor- 
ner's Hive, &c., &c, 

I have taken Fix'st I'x'eiiiiiiiiis at 23 State 
Fairs, upwards of 180 County Fairs, and at Town 
and Independent Fairs without number : in fact I 
invite competition at the Fairs, as I am enabled to 
make my entertainments more pleasing to the pub- 
lic, when I have a smart comiietUion. (See inside of 
cover in front of this book.) 



Gl 

What the Manufacturers Say. 

Cleveland, O., May 21, 1860. 

I commenced mauufacturinj^ W. A. Flanders' Mov- 
able Comb Bee Hives April ist, 1860, and have con- 
tinued with the facilities named in the descriptive 
catalogue accompanying the hives. 

'I have been unable to fill orders as fast as desired ; 
I have manufactured several patent articles before 
this, and none of them have met with so ready sale, 
or given so general satisfaction as these Bee Hives. 
I shall, hereafter, be ready to fill orders at three dol- 
lars and fifty cents each, and get out two hundred 
hives a week, 

ISAAC STURTEVANT. 



How Hives and Rights Sell. 

The question is often asked by my correspondents, 
'' How do your hives sell ?" Again, " Do bee keepers 
approve them ?" In order to save time and expense 
incurred by answering a multitude of letters filled 
with interrogatories of like character, I have inserted 
this article. 

I have yet to know of any person who purchased 
territorial rights for my hives, and who devoted his 
time and attention to their manufacture and sale, 
that did not consider it a highly profitable invest- 
ment. Some, who have purchased thousands of dol- 
lars, have re-invested in rights after their sales of 
their first purchase. Mr. James Newbury, of Avon, 
(P. O. address, Rochester,) Mich., has paid over 
twelve hundred dollars for territorial rights, at three 
different purchases. 

Messrs Phelps & Andrews, Cardington, Morrow 
county, Ohio, have purchased territory at four differ- 
ent times, and paid over one thousand dollars. Geo. 
M. Cady, of Northfield, Vt., has paid me over four 
thousand dollars for territory. Calvin Cady, six hun- 
dred dollars. H. P. Allen, of Bowling Green, Ky., 
(brother-in-law of Geo. M. Cady) bought over twelve 



62 



hundred dollars worth of territory. George Roberts 
and James D. Field, of Shelby, Ohio, fifteen hundred 
dollars. These gentlemen have made and sold up- 
wards of eleven hundred hives in two years, in Rich- 
land and Huron counties, Ohio. I could increase the 
number by naming hundreds of purchasers of farm, 
township and county rights, if it would be necessary. 
If required, highly reputable reference can be added, 
all testifying that no other business yields more hand- 
some profits, in proportion to the amount of capital 
invested. 

^^ Many parties write to me, asking for hives on 
credit, either to try or sell to others. I will here re- 
reply to all such corresx^ondents, that I have all I 
can possibly do by answering and filling cash orders, 
and that owing to the unsettled condition of the 
country and the price of stock, I am necessitated to 
do a cash lusiness only. 

Parties need not fear to send the cash. They will 
certainly have their orders filled promptly and faith- 
fully, or the money refunded to them. Money can 
be safely forwarded by mail, if wrapped in a thick 
piece of letter paper enclosed in a buft' colored en- 
velope. Fifteen dollars, or over, may be sent per ex- 
press, if 2we-imid by the sender, or by post-ofiice or- 
der on Shelby, Ohio. Government currency preferred 
at all times, but other current money will be receiv- 
ed. All communications, containing a stamp to i)ay 
postage in answer, will be promptly and cheerfully 
answered. Parties writing will please write their 
names. Post Office, County and State, plainly and 
legibly, so as to avoid mistakes or miscarriage. 

When farm rights are ordered, mention the town, 
county and State in which it is to be used, in order 
that the deed may contain them in the proper man- 
ner. 

Parties ordering hives with rights, will please look 
over the list of prices and articles, and order at one 
time all that may be wanted. Those who live at 
some distance can obtain all the necessary informa- 
tion to enable them to embark in the bee and bee- 
hive business, by correspondence as well as by a per- 
sonal interview, therefore saving traveling expenses. 

All articles carefully shipped by mail, express, or 



63 



as otherwise directed, to every part of the United 
States. 

Persons desirous of agencies for the sale of rights, 
hives, &c., should write immediately, stating ac- 
quaintance with bee culture, the number of years 
engaged, and the character of hives used, &c. 

Parties writing for unsold territoj-y : I reserve it 
until he has decided to purchase ; if the territory 
should bo sold, I notify him of the fact. 

The price of territory depends upon the population 
and the bee culture within it ; as a general price, one 
Xjer cent on tlie population. 



^^ For riglits in Indiana, address Wm. H. McDan- 
iel. New Carlisle, St. Joseph county, Indiana. 

8^^ For rights in Michigan, address James New- 
bury, Rochester, Jlicli. 

ilr#" F:tr riglits ii; Illinois, address Dysart, Burkett 
& C'(» , XacJiihs.;, Lev connty, Illinois. 



186T 1868. 

PRICE LIST FOR HIVES, ETC. 

One Farm E,igbt (and future improvements) to use our 

Hive $5 00 

Farm Rights as above, and one Hive, Bee Book and box 

of Bee Charm 10 00 

Bee Books by mail, prepaid, single 25 

" " " per dozen 2 00 

" by express, per hundred 12 00 

Box of Bee Charm, in'epaid, by mail 50 

" " dozen per express 3 00 

I will ship to order one Bee Hive this spring, and give the 

Farm Right for one farm, Bee Charm and Book, for 10 00 

County Rights are worth from 100 00 to 400 00 

Town Rights are worth from 25 00 to 50 00 

Nice Model Hives, to those who have the right of use 5 00 

For price of Italian queens, or full stocks, see our Circulars for 

each year. 

Club Rates. 

Three persons constitute a club. 

For three Hives, three Rights, with Bee Book, 
Charm, &c., &c., $25. 



64 



Agencies will be given to a club of three, for the 
township, at 50 per cent.; selling rights at $5 each, 
after the club have paid for their farm rights as above. 
The right, by deed for the town, will be given to such 
purchasers for $10 after the above club is formed. 

The above liberal offers are made, in order to get 
the hives introduced into every town in the loyal 
States. They stand pre-eminent as the best bee-hives 
in the United States. For prices for queen bees and 
full stocks, send for oui circulars each year. 

It has been the study of apiarians to construct 
movable-comb hives that would insure the bees to 
build straight and regular combs on each frame, of a 
uniform thickness suitable for brood combs. None 
have heretofore succeeded. After a long series of ex- 
periments, I have finally discovered the true princi- 
ple. There is no conjectural theory belonging to it, 
which candid men will freely admit on examination 
and experience. The modus operandi cannot be pub- 
licly explained in a work of this nature. I reserve 
it for private instruction, according to terms above 
published. Not one swarm in a hundred can possi- 
bly build contrary to the direction. It is impossible 
to obtain aU the combs correctly on the frames in the 
common movable-comb hives, withovit my imj)rove- 
ment. If this assertion is discredited, experiment on 
your hives and see the result. I will number such 
among my jjurchasers. 

(See directions in all my hives.) 

Address : W. A. FLANDERS & CO., 

Shelby, O. 



Our circulars for each year are published in Jan- 
uary and sent to all, free of charge. Bee keepers 
and others should order our circulars early in the 
season of each year. Send us the names and post- 
office address of bee keepers. 



FROM REV. THOS, LOVE. 

Waterford, Pa., Jan. 1. 1851. 

W. A. Flanders, Esq. — Dear Sir: — I have exam- 
ined your "Movable Comb Hive," and give it the 
preference of anything I have seen. We have four 
patent hives in our village, but I consider yours the 
best. Yours verv trulv, 

THOMAS LOVE. 



The follounng letter is from George W. Ogden, Esq,, the 

celebrated breeder of Cashmere Goats, who residts near 

Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Montgomery, Hamilton Co., O., July 6, 1863. 

W. A. Flanders : — Dear Sir, — I have been keeping 
bees for about ten years, and never made much pro- 
gress until lately, on account of not having the prop- 
er information and instruction. 

I moved from Kentucky to this place and bought a 
farm expressly to cultivate fruit and bees in Ohio, as 
well as in Kentucky. 

I have been using your hives for two years past, 
and I believe them to be the best that is now made. 
Truly yours, 

GEO. W. OGDEN. 



Davenport, Iowa, Sept. 30, 1864. 
This is to certify that Mr. W. A. Fhinders, of Shelby, 
Ohio, has been awarded the first premium on the best 
method of training bees; also the same premium on 
his Book Bee -Hive, at the Iowa State Fair, just closed, 
at Burlington, Iowa. 

JOHN LAMBERT, 
Assistant Treasurer, and Chairman of the 
Committee Awarding Premiums on Bee-Hives, &c. 



Affidavit. 

'' From an old (eleven year old) swarm of bees 
which I transferred from an old Box Hive into Flan- 
ders' Hive June 11th, 1860, I made a new swarm on 
the eighth day of July following, and I afterwards 
took forty pounds and ten ounces of nice box honey 
from it. Another which I transferred May 25, 1860, 
I have made one swarm and taken from it one hun- 
dred and tweuty-hve pounds of Box Honey, and 
three filled frames which I have used to strengthen 
another swarm. 

R. R. MARSH. 

Streetsboro', O., Oct 1, 1860. 

Sworn and subscribed to before me, P. A. Gollier, 
notary public, Cuyahoga county, Ohio. 

Extract of a letter from the Agricultural Editor of the 
Ohio Farmer. 

FLANDERS' BOOK BEE HIVE, 

" Combines all the good qualities which the invent- 
or has ever seen, or thought of in this line. If the 
bees do not appreciate this combination of mechan- 
ical genius, and go to work with renewed zeal, they 
must be ungrateful little people. 

S. D. HARRIS, 

Cleveland, Feb. 2, 1864. 



'# 



LIBRARY OF 



CONGRESS 

ll'llllt U II I |ii|i III III 



002 841 706 



